FROM   THE  LIBRARY  OF 

REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON.  D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED   BY   HIM  TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


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tffo  OF  PRtHJfc 


SACRED     MM  £u6  f)  Pff  S* 

y0/ 


HYMNS  FOR  YOUTH; 


WITH    APPROPRIATE 


SELECTIONS    FROM    SCRIPTURE. 


*  "Sow,  in  thy  youth,  beseech  of  Him 
Who  giveth,  upbraiding  not, 
That  his  light  in  thy  heart  become  not  dim, 

And  his  love  be  unforgot; 
And  thy  GoJ,  in  the  darkest  of  days  will  be 
Greenness,  and  beauty,  and  strength  to  thee." 

Bernard  Barton. 


N  EW-YORK: 

%  I  L  E Y     AND     PUT  N A  M 

161  Broadwav. 


184  1 


f* 


ft 


Entered  according  to  the  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1840, 

BY   WILEY    &   PUTNAM, 

In  the  Clerk's  office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Southern  District 
of  New-York. 


Printed  by  William  Osborn  8^  VVilliam-Bti-eef. 


PREFACE 


It  will  not,  perhaps,  be  considered  irrelevant 
to  state  the  object  of  the  author  in  presenting 
this  little  work  to  the  public.  Every  thing  that 
tends  to  interest  the  young  in  religion,  must  be 
desirable  to  christian  parents  ;  and  there  is 
probably  no  religious  exercise  so  agreeable  to 
children,  as  that  of  committing  hymns  to  memory* 

In  the  various  and  beautiful  selections  of  de- 
votional poetry  which  adorn  our  literature,  there 
are  but  few  hymns  adapted  to  the  compre- 
hension of  children  ;  and  this  little  work  has 
been  written  with  the  view  of  supplying  a  vol- 
ume suitable  for  youth.  The  hymns  are  in- 
tended, (with  the  selected  texts  of  scripture,) 
for  Sabbath  lessons ;  and  may  be  used  by  all 


PREFACE. 


parents  and  teachers,  who  wish  to  bring  up 
children  "  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of 
the  Lord." 

In  this  humble  attempt  to  advance  the  cause 
of  the  Redeemer,  the  author  has  been  en- 
couraged by  a  conviction  of  the  great  importance 
of  early  religious  culture. 

Christian  parent,  although  the  seed  be  small 
when  sown  in  the  bosom  of  thy  offspring,  yet, 
by  God's  blessing,  it  will  not  die.  And  al- 
though for  years  it  may  be,  (as  it  too  often  is,) 
unfruitful;  still,  when  the  dew  of  God's  grace 
shall  visit  that  young  heart,  it  will  not  fall  on 
sterile  ground — and  the  seed  planted  will  spring 
up,  and  blossom,  and  at  length  yield  an  abund- 
ant harvest. 


CONTENTS 


Page. 

XT  9 

Heaven,     - 

Gratitude  to  God,  •  - 

t,       •  ..--  -  13 

Evening,  - 

15 
Brotherly  Love,  -  - 

Temptation, 

The  Sabbath,  -  -  -  *  "  1J 

Watchfulness  of  God,         -----  21 

Dependance  upon  Christ, 
Kindness  to  the  Poor,        -  "J5 

Death, 27 

~   .  ,  29 

Guidance,  - 

31 

Sickness,  - 

Reliance  upon  God, 

Proper  Use  of  Time 

Early  Piety, 

Self-dedication, 

Parental  Influence,  - 

The  Good  Shepherd,  -  43 

Adoration  of  God, 

Divine  Aid, 

Forgiveness, 


47 
49 


Affliction,  ---""'  51 

Uncertainty  of  Life, 

Daily  Preservation,       - 

The  Bible,  ------  57 

59 

Christmas,         - 

Funeral  Hymn, 

Obedience,        - 

The  Joys  of  Heaven,  -  -  -  -       .     -  65 

Daily  Prayer, 


b  CONTENTS. 

Pa&c. 

Sabbath  Evening,                -             -             -             -             -  69 

Resignation,                   -             -             -             -             -  71 

Salvation,                 ------  73 

Filial  Duty,                    -----  75 

Humility,                -             -             -             -             -  77 

The  Seasons,                 -             -             -             -             -  79 

The  Cross,              ------  81 

Holiness,          -                           -             -             -             -  83 

Trust  in  God,         ------  85 

Pardon, 87 

The  better  Friend,               -----  89 

The  Sufferings  of  Christ,           -             -             -             -  91 

The  Star  of  Bethlehem,     -            -             -             -             -  93 

Charity,             ------  95 

The  Closing  Year,               -----  97 

Christian  Warfare,       -----  99 

Truth, 101 

The  Orphan's  Prayer,               -            -             -             -  103 

Works  of  Creation,            -             -             -             -  105 

The  One  Thing  Needful,           -             -            -  107 

The  Heavenly  Rest,           -----  109 

Song  of  Thanksgiving  to  the  Trinity,                 -            -  111 


ERRATA. 

Page  29,  second  verse,  third  line,    for  can'st,   read  canst. 
M    33,  first  verse,  "  "  " 

11    53,  first  verse,  first  and  third  lines,    "  ** 


SACKED     MELODIES. 


O  TEXTS    OP    SCRIPTURE. 

Rev.  xxi.  1  and  21  to  27. 

AND  I  saw  a  new  heaven  and  a  new  earth  :  for 
the  first  heaven  and  the  first  earth  were  passed 
away; 

And  the  twelve  gates  were  twelve  pearls  ;  every 
several  gate  was  of  one  pearl :  and  the  street  of  the 
city  was  pure  gold,  as  it  were  transparent  glass. 

And  I  saw  no  temple  therein  :  for  the  Lord  God 
Almighty  and  the  Lamb  are  the  temple  of  it. 

And  the  city  had  no  need  of  the  sun,  neither  of 
the  moon,  to  shine  in  it :  for  the  glory  of  God  did 
lighten  it,  and  the  Lamb  is  the  light  thereof. 

And  the  nations  of  them  which  are  saved  shall 
walk  in  the  light  of  it  :  and  the  kings  of  the  earth 
do  bring  their  glory  and  honor  into  it. 

And  the  gates  of  it  shall  not  be  shut  at  all  by  day  : 
for  there  shall  be  no  night  there. 

And  they  shall  bring  the  glory  and  honor  of  the 
nations  into  it. 

And  there  shall  in  no  wise  enter  into  it  any  thing 
that  defileth,  neither  whatsoever  worketh  abomina- 
tion, or  maketh  a  lie  :  but  they  which  are  written  in 
the  Lamb's  book  of  life. 


SACRED    MELODIES. 


HEAVEN. 


11  Eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  have  entered  into 
the  heart  of  man,  the  things  which  God  hath  prepared  for  them 
that  love  him."     1  Cor.  2,  9. 


JL  HERE  is  a  land  I  fain  would  call  my  own, 
A  land,  where  springs  of  comfort  ever  flow ; 

Where  sickness,  pain,  and  anguish  are  unknown, 
And  virtue  sheds  its  bright,  celestial  glow. 

There  is  a  home  where  peace  and  endless  joy 

Are  ne'er  o'ershadow'd  by  the  gloom  of  care ; 

Where  love  and  praise  ten  thousand  tongues  employ, 
And  countless  souls  its  tranquil  blessings  share. 

There  is  a  crown  which  time  can  never  fade, 

A  crown,  which  earthly  victors  cannot  wear; 

A  crown,  for  which  a  ransom  hath  been  paid, 
While  untold  millions  in  its  glory  share. 

That  land  is  heaven — that  home  is  in  the  skies, 

Where  sainted  Christians  round  their  Saviour 
press ; 
'T  is  he  who  holds  that  bright  and  glitt'ring  prize, 
And  bids  them  wear  the  crown  of  righteous- 
ness. 

2 


10  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE, 

Ps.  ciii.  1  to  6. 

JdLESS  the  Lord,  O  my  soul :  and  all  that  is  with 
in  me,  bless  his  holy  name. 

Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  forget  not  all  his 
benefits  : 

"Who  forgiveth  all  thine  iniquities  ;  who  healeth 
all  thy  diseases  : 

Who  redeemeth  thy  life  from  destruction  ;  who 
crowneth  thee  with  loving  kindness  and  tender 
mercies ; 

Who  satisfieth  thy  mouth  with  good  things  ;  so 
that  thy  youth  is  renewed  like  the  eagle's. 

The  Lord  executeth  righteousness  and  judgment 
for  all  that  are  oppressed. 

Ps.  ciii.  13  to  18. 

JLjIKE  as  a  father  pitieth  his  children,  so  the  Lord 
pitieth  them  that  fear  him. 

For  he  knoweth  our  frame  ;  he  remembereth  that 
we  are  dust. 

As  for  man,  his  days  are  as  grass  :  as  a  flower  of 
the  field,  so  he  flourisheth. 

For  the  wind  passeth  over  it,  and  it  is  gone  :  and 
the  place  thereof  shall  know  it  no  more. 

But  the  mercy  of  the  Lord  is  from  everlasting  to 
everlasting  upon  them  that  fear  him,  and  his  righte- 
ousness unto  children's  children  ; 

To  such  as  keep  his  covenant,  and  to  those  that 
remember  his  commandments  to  do  them. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  11 


GRATITUDE  TO  GOD. 


"  Oh  that  men  would  praise  the  Lord  for  his  goodness,  and  for  his 
wonderful  works  to  the  children  of  men."     Psalm  cvii.  8. 


Jb  ATHER  !     I  call  upon  thy  name, 

Oh  !  listen  to  ray  humble  pray'r; 
From  thee  my  life,  my  being  came, 

Still  let  me  own  thy  guardian  care- 
Each  valued  gift  that  I  possess, 

Was  thine,  oh  !   Father,  to  bestow  ; 
While  life  shall  last,  let  me  confess, 

That  ev'ry  good  to  thee  I  owe- 

My  parents — friends — and  happy  home  ; 

The  comforts  that  around  me  press ; 
I  know,  oh  !   Father,  that  they  come 

From  Thee,  the  fount  of  blessedness. 

How  can  I  then  repay  thee,  Lord, 

For  all  the  mercies  I  have  known  % 

My  lips  and  heart  with  one  accord 

Shall  praise  the  goodness  thou  hast  shown* 


12  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 

Gen.  i.  14  to  18. 

AND  God  said,  Let  there  be  lights  in  the  firmament 
of  the  heaven  to  divide  the  day  from  the  night ;  and 
let  them  be  for  signs,  and  for  seasons,  and  for  days, 
and  years  : 

And  let  them  be  for  lights  in  the  firmament  of  the 
heaven  to  give  light  upon  the  earth  :  and  it  was  so. 

And  God  made  two  great  lights ;  the  greater 
light  to  rule  the  day,  and  the  lesser  light  to  rule  the 
night :  he  made  the  stars  also. 

And  God  set  them  in  the  firmament  of  the  heaven 
to  give  light  upon  the  earth, 

And  to  rule  over  the  day  and  over  the  night,  and 
to  divide  the  light  from  the  darkness  ;  and  God  saw 
that  it  was  good. 

Ps.  cxxxix.    11  and  12. 

IF  I  say,  surely  the  darkness  shall  cover  me;  even 
the  night  shall  be  light  about  me. 

Yea,  the  darkness  hideth  not  from  thee  ;  but  the 
night  shineth  as  the  day  :  the  darkness  and  the  light 
are  both  alike  to  thee. 

Ps.  cii.     25  to  27. 

OF  old  hast  thou  laid  the  foundation  of  the  earth: 
and  the  heavens  are  the  work  of  thy  hands. 

They  shall  perish,  but  thou  shalt  endure  :  yea,  all 
of  them  shall  wax  old  like  a  garment;  as  a  vesture 
shalt  thou  change  them,  and  they  shall  be  changed  : 

But  thou  art  the  same,  and  thy  years  shall  have  no 
end. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  13 


EVENING. 


"  Let  my  prayer  be  setforth  before  thee  as  incense ;  and  the  lifting 
up  of  my  hands  as  the  evening  sacrifice."     Psalm  clxi.     2. 


A  HE  setting  sun  has  sunk  behind  the  hill, 
The  glowing  sky  is  fading  from  my  view  ; 

The  rising  moon  is  shining  on  the  rill, 

And  nature  wears  a  robe  of  deeper  hue. 

The  whip-poor-will  has  sung  his  evening  hymn, 
The  sportive  lambs  are  gather'd  in  the  fold  ; 

The  twilight  landscape  to  the  eye  grows  dim, 
And  earth  and  sky  a  solemn  stillness  hold. 

Whose  is  the  hand  that  hung  each  gleaming  star 
"Within  the  vault  of  yonder  deep'ning  sky  ! 

The  hand  of  God  hath  scatter'd  them  afar, 

And  bid  them  light  the  firmament  on  high. 

Whose  is  the  eye  that  watches  o'er  our  sleep 

When  night's  dark  drapery  is  clos'd  around  % 

When  mortal  eyes  their  vigils  cease  to  keep, 
And  mortal  ears  are  shut  to  every  sound  ? 

God's  eye  can  penetrate  the  darkest  gloom 
That  ever  shrouds  our  destiny  below  ; 

From  infant's  cradle,  to  the  old  man's  tomb, 
Its  vigil,  no  forge tfulness  can  know. 
2* 


14  TEXTS  OF  SCRIPTURE. 

Rom.  xii.    10. 

_OE  kindly  affectioned  one  to  another  with  bro- 
therly love  ;  in  honor  preferring  one  another. 

1st  John  iv.  7. 

J3E  LOVED,  let  us  love  one  another  :  for  love  is 
of  God ;  and  every  one  that  loveth  is  born  of  God, 
and  knoweth  God. 

1st  John  iv.  20  and  21. 

±F  a  man  say,  I  love  God,  and  hateth  his  brother, 
he  is  a  liar  :  for  he  that  loveth  not  his  brother  whom 
he  hath  seen,  how  can  he  love  God  whom  he  hath 
not  seen  % 

And  this  commandment  have  we  from  him,  that 
he  who  loveth  God  love  his  brother  also. 

Heb.  xiii.   1. 

JLiET  brotherly  love  continue. 

Matt.  vii.  3  to  6. 

W  HY  beholdest  thou  the  mote  that  is  in  thy  bro- 
ther's eye,  but  considerest  not  the  beam  that  is  in 
thine  own  eye  % 

Or  how  wilt  thou  say  to  thy  brother,  Let  me  pull 
out  the  mote  out  of  thine  eye  ;  and  behold,  a  beam 
is  in  thine  own  eye  1 

Thou  hypocrite,  first  cast  out  the  beam  out  of 
thine  own  eye  :  and  then  shalt  thou  see  clearly  to 
cast  out  the  mote  out  of  thy  brother's  eye. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  15 

BROTHERLY  LOVE. 

"Love  worketh  no  ill  to  his  neighbor."    Rom.  xiii.  10. 


X  HE  love  of  God  I  seek  in  vain, 
If  I  can  give  my  brother  pain 

By  fretful  words  or  angry  blow  ; 
For  God  unseen  can  look  within 
And  mark  the  nature  of  my  sin, 

And  ev'ry  hidden  secret  know. 

In  vain  I  say  my  hymn  of  praise, 
In  vain  to  God  my  voice  I  raise, 

If  I  provoke  my  sister's  tears ; 
For  He  in  anger  will  look  down, 
And  see  my  harshness  with  a  frown. 

And  punish  me  with  guilty  fears. 

Then  let  me  strive  to  love  them   well, 
That  while  within  one  home  we  dwell 

Our  hearts  may  still  united  be  ; 
For  death  may  come  with  sudden  grasp, 
And  tear  the  dear  ones  from  our  clasp, 

To  meet — but  in  eternity. 


16  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 

James  i.  2,  3. 

1VJ.Y  brethren,  count  it  all  joy  when  ye  fall  into 
divers  temptations  ; 

Knowing  this,  that  the  trying  of  your  faith  work- 
eth  patience. 

James  i.  12. 

JDLESSED  is  the  man  that  endureth  temptation  : 
for  when  he  is  triecH  he  shall  receive  the  crown  of  life, 
which  the  Lord  hath  promised  to  them  that  love  him. 

1  Cor.  x.  13. 

X  HERE  hath  no  temptation  taken  you  but  such  as 
is  common  to  man  :  but  God  is  faithful,  who  will  not 
suffer  you  to  be  tempted  above  that  ye  are  able  ; 
but  will  with  the  temptation  also  make  a  way  to 
escape,  that  ye  may  be  able  to  bear  it. 

Heb.iv.  15. 

T  OR  we  have  not  an  high  priest  which  cannot  be 
touched  with  the  feeling  of  our  infirmities  :  but  was 
in  al1  points  tempted  like  as  we  are,  yet  without  sin. 

Rev.  iii.  10. 

JDECAUSE  thouhast  kept  the  word  of  my  patience, 
I  also  will  keep  thee  from  the  hour  of  temptation, 
which  shall  come  upon  all  the  world,  to  try  them 
that  dwell  upon  the  earth. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  17 

TEMPTATION. 

"  I  also  will  keep  from  the  hour  of  temptation."     Rev.  iii.  10. 


_T  ATHER  !  grant  to  me  thy  blessing 
While  I  kneel  to  worship  Thee  ; 

Pardon,  peace,  and  joy  possessing, 
Let  me  from  temptation  flee- 

Father  !  let  not  earthly  treasure 

Wean  my  priceless  soul  from  Thee  ; 

Oh  !   forbid  that  fleeting  pleasure 
Should  seduce  or  fetter  me. 

Father !  pardon  all  the  errors 

Which  thine  eye  alone  can  see  ; 

Let  not  Satan's  guilty  terrors 

Keep  my  soul  from  heav'n  and  Thee, 

Father  !  each  day's  sins  regretting, 
I  will  pray  on  bended  knee  ; 

And  each  wordly  care  forgetting, 
To  the  cross  of  Christ  I  '11  flee. 

Father  !  let  the  precious  burden 
Which  upon  that  cross  I  see, 

Be  my  hope — my  shield — my  guerdon- 
It  can  save,  and  shelter  me, 


18  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 

Ps.  cxviii.  24. 

X  HIS  is  the  day  which  the  Lord  hath  made  ;   we 
will  rejoice  and  be  glad  in  it. 

Deut.  v.  12  to  14. 

X\.EEP  the  sabbath  day  to  sanctify  it,  as  the  Lord 
thy  God  hath  commanded  thee. 

Six  days  thou  shalt  labour,  and  do  all  thy  work  : 
But  the  seventh  day  is  the  sabbath  of  the  Lord 
thy  God  :  in  it  thou  shalt  not  do  any  work,  thou,  nor 
thy  son,  nor  thy  daughter,  nor  thy  man-servant,  nor 
thy  maid-servant,  nor  thine  ox,  nor  thine  ass,  nor 
any  of  thy  cattle,  nor  thy  stranger  that  is  within  thy 
gates;  that  thy  man-servant  and  thy  maid-servant 
may  rest  as  well  as  thou. 

Is.  lviii.   13  and  14. 

J_F  thou  turn  away  thy  foot  from  the  sabbath ,from 
doing  thy  pleasure  on  my  holy  day ;  and  call  the 
sabbath  a  delight,  the  holy  of  the  Lord,  honorable  ; 
and  shalt  honor  him,  not  doing  thine  own  ways, 
nor  finding  thine  own  pleasure,  nor  speaking  thine 
own  words  : 

Then  shalt  thou  delight  thyself  in  the  Lord  ;  and 
I  will  cause  thee  to  ride  upon  the  high  places  of  the 
earth,  and  feed  thee  with  the  heritage  of  Jacob  thy 
father  :  for  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  19 

THE    SABBATH. 

'Remember  the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy."      Exodus  xx.  8. 


i.  HEAR  the   sweet  chimes  of  the   church  going 
bells, 
They  call  us   to  worship   with   praise  and  with 
pray'r 
The  God  who  in  heaven  eternally  dwells, 
And  loves  us,  when  we  to  his  temple  repair. 

I  know  that  He  smiles  on  the  young  of  his  fold, 
When,  singing  the  praise  that  is  due  to  his  name, 

They  offer  a  tribute  that  *s  brighter  than  gold, 
And  yield  him  the  incense  to  which  he  has  claim. 

I  will  pray  to  be  pure — for  Jesus  was  pure  ; 

I  will  pray  to  be  good — for  angels  are  good  ; 
I  will  pray  him  to  bless  the  sick  and  the  poor  ; 

And  send  to  them  comfort,  and  clothing,  and  food. 

A  week  of  enjoyment  and  blessing  has  flown, 
And  shall  I  not  thank  him  for  all  he  has  giv'n  ? 

Oh  !  yes,  I  will  ask  him  to  make  me  his  own, 
And  take  me  at  last  to  his  bosom  in  heav'n. 


20  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 


Ps.  cxxxix.   1  to  12. 

\J  LORD,  thou  hast  searched  me,  and  know  me. 

Thou  knowest  my  down-sitting  and  mine  up- 
rising, thou  understandest  my  thought  afar  off. 

Thou  compassest  my  path  and  my  lying  down, 
and  art  acquainted  with  all  my  ways. 

For  there  is  not  a  word  in  my  tongue,  but  lo,  O 
Lord,  thou  knowest  it  altogether. 

Thou  hast  beset  me  behind  and  before,  and  laid 
thy  hand  upon  me. 

Such  knowledge  is  too  wonderful  for  me  ;  it  is 
high,  I  cannot  attain  unto  it. 

Whither  shall  I  go  from  thy  Spirit  ]  or  whither 
shall  I  flee  from  thy  presence  1 

If  I  ascend  up  into  heaven,  thou  art  there  :  if  I 
make  my  bed  in  hell,  behold,  thou  art  there. 

If  I  take  the  wings  of  the  morning,  and  dwell  in 
the  uttermost  parts  of  the  sea ; 

Even  there  shall  thy  hand  lead  me,  and  thy  right 
hand  shall  hold  me. 

If  I  say,  Surely  the  darkness  shall  cover  me  ; 
even  the  night  shall  be  light  about  me. 

Yea,  the  darkness  hideth  not  from  thee ;  but  the 
night  shineth  as  the  day  :  the  darkness  and  the 
light  are  both  alike  to  thee. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  2i 


THE  WATCHFULNESS  OF  GOD. 

'  The  Lord  is  good  to  all :  and  his  tender  mercies  are  over  all  his 
rks."     Psalm  cxlv.     9. 


IN  ev'ry  lovely  thing  I  trace 

The  hand  of  God  divine  ; 
In  ev'ry  fiow'ring  shrub  and  tree 

I  see  his  glories  shine. 

He  made  the  earth — the  sky — the  sea — 

And  lighted  ev'ry  star 
That  glitters  in  the  firmament, 

And  sheds  its  light  afan 

He  made  the  birds  that  sweetly  sing 

Their  early  matin  lay  ; 
They  carol  forth  their  joyful  hymn 

To  greet  the  waking  day. 

The  worm  that  crawls  beneath  my  feet 

Is  worthy  of  my  care  ; 
For  ev'ry  creature  God  hath  made, 

His  watchfulness  doth  share. 

In  stormiest  day,  and  darkest  night, 
He  guards  us  all  from  harm  ; 

And  spreads  o'er  earth,  and  sea,  and  heav'n, 
His  everlasting  arm. 
3 


22  TEXTS    OP    SCRIPTURE. 

John  vi.  35  to  40. 

-TjlND  Jesus  said  unto  them,  I  am  the  bread  of 
life  :  he  that  cometh  to  me,  shall  never  hunger  ;  and 
he  that  believeth  on  me,  shall  never  thirst. 

But  I  said  unto  you,  That  ye  also  have  seen  me, 
and  believe  not. 

All  that  the  Father  giveth  me,  shall  come  to  me ; 
and  him  that  cometh  to  me,  I  will  in  no  wise  cast 
out. 

For  I  came  down  from  heaven,  not  to  do  mine 
own  will,  but  the  will  of  him  that  sent  me. 

And  this  is  the  Father's  will  which  hath  sent  me, 
that  of  all  which  he  hath  given  me,  I  should  lose 
nothing,  but  should  raise  it  up  again  at  the  last  day. 

And  this  is  the  will  of  him  that  sent  me,  that 
every  one  which  seeth  the  Son,  and  believeth  on 
him,  may  have  everlasting  life  ;  and  I  will  raise  him 
up  at  the  last  day. 

Matt.  ix.  27  to  29. 

AND  when  Jesus  departed  thence,  two  blind  men 
followed  him,  crying,  and  saying,  Thou  Son  of  David, 
have  mercy  on  us. 

And  when  he  was  come  into  the  house,  the  blind 
men  came  to  him  :  and  Jesus  saith  unto  them,  Be- 
lieve ye  that  I  am  able  to  do  this  1  They  said  unto 
him,  Yea,  Lord. 

Then  touched  he  their  eyes,  saying,  According  to 
your  faith,  be  it  unto  you. 


SACRED    MELODIES. 


23 


DEPENDANCE  UPON  CHRIST. 

'*  Christ  is  the  propitiation  for  our  sins  :  and  not  for  ours  only ' 
but  also  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world."     1  John  ii.  2. 


ALMIGHTY  Father  !  wilt  thou  bend 
Thine  ear  unto  an  infant's  pray'r ; 

Oh  !  let  thy  love  on  me  descend, 

Thy  daily  mercies  let  me  share. 

Father,  I  wish  to  do  thy  will, 

And  to  thy  arms  my  soul  resign  ; 

Be  thou  my  guide — my  guardian  still — 

From  childhood's  dawn,  to  life's  decline, 

I  bring  no  ofF'ring  worthy  thee, 

For  I  am  vile  in  word  and  deed  ; 

But  Christ  my  Saviour  died  for  me, 
And  lives,  with  thee  to  intercede. 

In  his  beloved  name  I  come  ; 

On  his  atonement  I  depend  ; 
Wilt  thou  not  take  the  pilgrim  home, 

And  be  in  death  the  oil  prim's  friend. 


24  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 

P5.  xli.   1  to  3. 

XjLESSED  is  he  that  considereth  the  poor  :  the 
Lord  will  deliver  him  in  time  of  trouble. 

The  Lord  will  preserve  him,  and  keep  him  alive  ; 
and  he  shall  be  blessed  upon  the  earth  ;  and  thou 
wilt  not  deliver  him  unto  the  will  of  his  enemies. 

The  Lord  will  strengthen  him  upon  the  bed  of 
languishing  :  thou  wilt  make  all  his  bed  in  his  sick- 
ness. 

Job  xxix.  11  to  16. 

W  HEN  the  ear  heard  ?ne,  then  it  blessed  me  ;  and 
when  the  eye  saw  me,  it  gave  witness  to  me  : 

Because  I  delivered  the  poor  that  cried,  and  the 
fatherless,  and  him  that  had  none  to  help  him. 

The  blessing  of  him  that  was  ready  to  perish  came 
upon  me  :  and  I  caused  the  widow's  heart  to  sing 
for  joy. 

I  put  on  righteousness,  and  it  clothed  me  :  my 
judgment  was  as  a  robe  and  a  diadem. 

I  was  eyes  to  the  blind,  and  feet  was  I  to  the  lame. 

I  was  a  father  to  the  poor :  and  the  cause  which  I 
knew  not  I  searched  out. 

Acts  xx.  35. 

A  HAVE  showed  you  all  things,  how  that  so  labour- 
ing ye  ought  to  support  the  weak,  and  to  remember 
the  words  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  how  he  said,  It  is  more 
blessed  to  give  than  to  receive. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  25 


KINDNESS  TO  THE  POOR. 

"  He  that  hath  pity  upon  the  poor,  lendeth  unto  the  Lord  ;  and  that 
which  he  hath  given  will  he  pay  him  again.     Prov.  xix.    17. 


\JH  !  may  I  ne'er  despise  the  poor 
Who  daily  beg  their  scanty  meal ; 

Who,  cold  and  faint,  relief  implore, 

And  trembling  make  their  sad  appeal. 

Oh  !  may  I  ne'er  look  down  with  scorn 
Upon  the  tatter'd  garb  of  age  ; 

Nor  coldly  let  my  heart  refuse 

The  beggar's  mis'ry  to  assuage. 

God  gave  to  me — withheld  from  them — 
The  wealth  that  so  much  ease  secures  ; 

Let  me  not  then  forget  the  pangs 
Which  humble  penury  endures. 

My  daily  wants  are  all  supplied, 

While  cold  and  care  1  never  knew; 

How  diff'rent  far  the  lot  of  those, 

Who  suffer  cold  and  hunger  too, 

Father  !  incline  my  youthful  heart 
To  look  with  pity  on  the  poor  ; 

And  let  me  add  my  little  mite 

Whene'er  I  see  them  at  our  door, 
3* 


26  TEXTS  OF  SCRIPTURE. 

Ps.  cxvi.   15. 

PRECIOUS  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death 
of  his  saints. 

Ps.  xxxvii.  37. 

JMaRK  the  perfect  man,  and  behold  the  upright : 
for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace. 

Rom.  xiv.  7  to  9. 

IN  ONE  of  us  liveth  to  himself,  and  no  man  dieth 
to  himself. 

For  whether  we  live,  we  live  unto  the  Lord  ;  and 
whether  we  die,  we  die  unto  the  Lord  :  whether  we 
live  therefore,  or  die,  we  are  the  Lord's. 

For  to  this  end  Christ  both  died,  and  rose,  and  re- 
vived, that  he  might  be  Lord  both  of  the  dead  and 
living. 

Ps.  lxxiii.  24  to  26. 

X  HOU  shalt  guide  me  with  thy  counsel,  and  after- 
ward receive  me  to  glory. 

Whom  have  I  in  heaven  but  thee  ?  and  there  is  none 
upon  earth  that  I  desire  besides  thee. 

My  flesh  and  my  heart  faileth  :  hut  God  is  the 
strength  of  my  heart,  and  my  portion  forever. 

Ps.  xlix.  15. 

Jj>UT  God  will  redeem  my  soul  from  the  power  of 
the  grave  :  for  he  shall  receive  me. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  27 

DEATH. 

"  The  righteous  hath  hope  in  his  death."     Prov.  xiv.  32. 


1  HE  hour  of  death  is  drawing  near, 

And  it  may  quickly  come  ; 
The  christian's  hope — the  christian's  fear- 
Are  giv'n  to  guide  our  sojourn  here, 

And  point  us  to  our  home. 

The  shades  of  death  where  terrors  lie, 

With  dark'ninghue  will  come; 
But  heav'nly  help  is  ever  nigh 
To  cheer  our  journey  to  the  sky, 
And  lead  us  to  our  home. 

A  Saviour's  love  can  light  the  gloom, 
That  o'er  life's  close  may  come  ; 
He  died  to  save  us  from  our  doom, 
And,  rising  from  his  lowly  tomb, 
He  calls  us  to  our  home. 

Christ  is  the  rock  on  which  we  lay 

Our  surest  hope  to  come  ; 
He  sheds  the  true  undying  ray, 
That  lights  the  christian  on  his  way, 

To  an  eternal  home. 


28  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 

Jer.  iii.   4. 

W  ILT  thou  not  from  this  time  cry  unto  me,  My 
Father,  thou  art  the  guide  of  my  youth  % 

Ps.  xxxii.   8. 

-1-  will  instruct  thee,  and  teach  thee  in  the  way 
which  thou  shalt  go  :  I  will  guide  thee  with  mine 
eye. 

Proy.  iii.  5  and  6. 

A  RUST  in  the  Lord  with  all  thy  heart :  and  lean 
not  unto  thine  own  understanding. 

In  all  thy  ways  acknowledge  him,  and  he  shall 
direct  thy  paths. 

Ps.  Ixi.  1  and  2. 

JLXEAR  my  cry,  O  God  ;  attend  unto  my  prayer. 

From  the  end  of  the  earth  will  I  cry  unto  thee, 
when  my  heart  is  overwhelmed  :  lead  me  to  the  rock 
that  is  higher  than  I. 

Jer.  x.  23. 

\J  LORD,  I  know  that  the  way  of  man  is  not  in 

himself:  it  is  not  in  man  that  walketh  to  direct  his 
steps. 

Matt.  xi.  28. 

OOME  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labour,  and  are  heavy 
laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  29 


GUIDANCE. 

"  Thou  shalt  guide  me  with  thy  counsel,  and  afterward  receive  me 
to  glory." — Psalm  lxxiii.  24. 


1  EACH  me,  oh  God  !  the  paths  of  sin  to  shun, 

And  lead  me  onward  in  thy  heav'nly  way  ; 
My  youthful  heart  its  trial  hath  begun, 

Oh  !   may  it  never  from  thy  guidance  stray. 

Each  day  I  live,  some  sin  the  mast'ry  gains, 

Although  with  tears  my  weakness  I  deplore  ; 

But  thou  can'st  purify  the  deepest  stains, 
And  to  the  path  of  life  my  feet  restore. 

Dark  is  the  soul  without  some  heav'nly  ray, 

To  guide  it  towards  its  goal  of  future  rest  ; 

Be  thou  my  father — friend — and  firmest  stay, 
Until  I  reach  the  mansions  of  the  blest. 

There  I  shall  fear  no  more  the  tempter's  pow'r, 

For  Christ  hath  snapp'd   our  chain,  and  set   us 
free  ; 

Sin  ceas'd  to  triumph  in  his  dying  hour, 

And  death  was  "  swallow'd  up  in  victory." 


JU  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 

Ps.  vi.  1  to  9. 

yj  LORD,  rebuke   me  not  in  thine  anger,  neither 
chasten  me  in  thy  hot  displeasure. 

Have  mercy  upon  me,  O  Lord  ;  for  I  am  weak  : 

0  Lord,  heal  me  :  for  my  bones  are  vexed. 

My  soul  is  also  sore  vexed  :  but  thou,  O  Lord, 
how  long  ? 

Return,  O  Lord,  deliver  my  soul :  O  save  me  for 
thy  mercies'  sake ! 

For  in  death  there  is  no  remembrance  of  thee  :  in 
the  grave  who  shall  give  thee  thanks  ] 

I  am  weary  with  my  groaning ;  all  the  night  make 

1  my  bed  to  swim  ;  I  water  my  couch  with  my  tears. 

Mine  eye  is  consumed  because  of  grief;  it  waxeth 
old  because  of  all  mine  enemies. 

Depart  from  me,  all  ye  workers  of  iniquity ;  for 
the  Lord  hath  heard  the  voice  of  my  weeping. 

The  Lord  hath  heard  my  supplication  ;  the  Lord 
will  receive  my  prayer. 

Ps.  xxv.  16  to  18. 

X  URN  thee  unto  me,  and  have  mercy  upon  me  ;  for 
I  am  desolate  and  afflicted. 

The  troubles  of  my  heart  are  enlarged  :  0  bring 
thou  me  out  of  my  distresses. 

Look  upon  mine  affliction  and  my  pain  ;  and  for- 
give all  my  sins. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  31 


SICKNESS. 


14  My  flesh  and  my  heart  faileth  :  but  God  is   the  strength  of  my 
heart,  and  my  portion  for  ever."     Psalm  lxxiii.  26. 


JhLlDE  not  thy  face,  oh  !  God,  when  health  has  fled, 
And  sickness  lays  me  on  a  fever'd  bed  ; 
Thy  sov'reign  povv'r  a  holy  balm  can  pour, 
And  to  its  wonted  ease  my  frame  restore. 

In  time  of  strength,  I  could  forget  the  arm 
That  shelter'd  this  frail  tenement  from  harm  ; 
But,  feebly  stretch'd  upon  a  couch  of  pain, 
I  yearn  to  feel  thy  gift  of  health  again. 

Yet,  without  murm'ring,  I  would  fain  endure, 
Until  thy  goodness  shall  see  fit  to  cure ; 
For  well  I  know  that  mercy  sends  the  pain, 
To  bring  the  wand'rer  to  thy  arms  again. 

Here  let  me  learn  submission  to  thy  will, 
And  be  thy  child  in  health  or  illness  still; 
Until  I  reach  that  ever  blessed  home, 
Where  sickness,  pain,  and  sorrow  never  come. 


32  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 

Ps.  cxxv.   1  and  2. 

A  HEY  that  trust  in  the  Lord  shall  be  as  mount 
Zion,  which  cannot  be  removed,  but  abideth  for  ever. 
As  the  mountains  are  round  about  Jerusalem,  so 
the  Lord  is  round  about  his  people  from  henceforth 
even  for  ever. 

Ps.  xci.  9  to  11. 

Jl5E CAUSE  thou  hast  made  the  Lord  which  is  my 
refuge,  even  the  Most  High,  thy  habitation  ; 

There  shall  no  evil  befall  thee,  neither  shall  any 
plague  come  nigh  thy  dwelling. 

For  he  shall  give  his  angels  charge  over  thee,  to 
keep  thee  in  all  thy  ways. 

Ps.  xxvii.  14. 

W  AIT  on  the  Lord  :  be  of  good  courage,  and 
he  shall  strengthen  thy  heart :  wait,  I  say,  on  the 
Lord. 

Ps.   lv.  22. 

\J  AST  thy  burden  upon  the  Lord,  and  he  shall  sus- 
tain thee  :  he  shall  never  suffer  the  righteous  to  be 
moved. 

Ts.  xxxvii.  5. 

OOMMIT  thy  way  unto  the  Lord  ;  trust  also  in 
him  :  and  he  shall  bring  it  to  pass. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  33 

RELIANCE  UPON  GOD. 

"  My  Father,  thou  art  the  guide  of  my  youth."    Jer.  iii.  4. 


IVxY  Father  !  unto  thee  I  come, 

To  thee  in  all  my  doubts  repair; 

For  thou  can'st  guard  me  when  I  stray, 

And  snatch  my  soul  from  Satan's  snare. 

Guide  of  my  youth  !   oh  make  me  free, 
And  fix  my  wav'ring  heart  on  thee. 

When  from  the  truth  I  would  depart — 

When  falsehood  would  my  soul  betray- 
Then  be  thou  near  to  check  my  sin, 

And  prove  my  safeguard  and  my  stay. 
Guide  of  my  youth  !  oh  make  me  free, 
And  fix  my  wav'ring  heart  on  thee. 

Safe,  when  I  trust  thy  promis'd  love — 

Lost,  when  I  cease  that  love  to  prize — 

Be  thou  the  day-star  from  above, 

To  light  me  onward  to  the  skies. 

Guide  of  my  youth  !   oh  make  me  free, 

And  fix  my  wand'ring  heart  on  thee. 


34  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 

Prov.  xxiv.  30  to  34. 

I  WENT  by  the  field  of  the  slothful,  and  by  the 
vineyard  of  the  man  void  of  understanding ; 

And  lo,  it  was  all  grown  over  with  thorns,  and  net- 
tles had  covered  the  face  thereof,  and  the  stone  wall 
thereof  was  broken  down. 

Then  I  saw,  and  considered  it  well :  I  looked 
upon  it,  and  received  instruction. 

Yet  a  little  sleep,  a  little  slumber,  a  little  folding 
of  the  hands  to  sleep  : 

So  shall  thy  poverty  come  as  one  that  travelleth  ; 
and  thy  want  as  an  armed  man. 

Prov.  xiii.  4. 

J.  HE  soul  of  the  sluggard  desireth,  and  hath 
nothing  :  but  the  soul  of  the  diligent  shall  be  made 
fat. 

Prov.  xii.  24. 

JL  HE  hand  of  the  diligent  shall  bear  rule  :  but 
the  slothful  shall  be  under  tribute. 

Matt.  xii.  35  and  36. 

A  GOOD  man,  out  of  the  good  treasure  of  the 
heart,  bringeth  forth  good  things  :  and  an  evil  man, 
out  of  the  evil  treasure,  bringeth  forth  evil  things. 

But  I  say  unto  you,  That  every  idle  word  that 
men  shall  speak,  they  shall  give  account  thereof  in 
the  day  of  judgment. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  35 


PROPER  USE  OF  TIME. 


;( Go  to  the  ant,  thou  sluggard ;  consider  her  ways,  and  be  wise." 

Prov.  vi.  6. 


JL  SEE  the  ant  with  busy  toil 
Her  earthy  cell  prepare  ; 

And  day  by  day  her  store  of  food 
Lay  by  with  watchful  care. 

I  see  her  rising  with  the  sun 

Her  labors  to  begin  ; 
While  tiny  helpmates  crowd  around, 

Their  share  of  spoil  to  win. 

I  would  not  waste  the  precious  hours 

Of  youth  by  idle  ways  ; 
But  like  the  ant  that  youth  employ, 

And  live,  my  God  to  praise. 

Let  industry  be  then  my  aim 

In  all  my  duties  here  ; 
And  through  my  life  God's  holy  name 

May  I  with  love  revere. 


36  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 


Eccles.  xii.  1  to  7. 


XVEMEMBER  now  thy  Creator  in  the  days  of  thy 
youth,  while  the  evil  days  come  not,  nor  the  years 
draw  nigh,  when  thou  shalt  say,  I  have  no  pleasure 
in  them ; 

While  the  sun,  or  the  light,  or  the  moon,  or  the 
stars,  be  not  darkened,  nor  the  clouds  return  after 
the  rain  : 

In  the  day  when  the  keepers  of  the  house  shall 
tremble,  and  the  strong  men  shall  bow  themselves, 
and  the  grinders  cease  because  they  are  few,  and 
those  that  look  out  of  the  windows  be  darkened. 

And  the  doors  shall  be  shut  in  the  streets,  when 
the  sound  of  the  grinding  is  low,  and  he  shall  rise  up 
at  the  voice  of  the  bird,  and  all  the  daughters  of 
music  shall  be  brought  low ; 

Also  when  they  shall  be  afraid  of  that  which  is 
high,  and  fears  shall  be  in  the  way,  and  the  almond 
tree  shall  flourish,  and  the  grasshopper  shall  be  a 
burden,  and  desire  shall  fail  :  because  man  goeth  to 
his  long  home,  and  the  mourners  go  about  the  streets : 

Or  ever  the  silver  cord  be  loosed,  or  the  golden 
bowl  be  broken,  or  the  pitcher  be  broken  at  the 
fountain,  or  the  wheel  broken  at  the  cistern. 

Then  shall  the  dust  return  to  the  earth  as  it  was  : 
and  the  spirit  shall  return  unto  God  who  gave  it. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  37 

EARLY   PIETY. 

"Remember  now  thy  Creator  in  the  days  of  thy  youth."  Eccles. x\i.l. 


W  HILE  the  bright  hours  of  youth  are  thine, 
And  childhood's  joys  are  round  thee  ; 

While  parents'  arras  thy  form  entwine, 
And  comforts  still  surround  thee ; 

Remember  Him  who  crowns  thy  joy, 

And  gives  thee  bliss  without  alloy. 

Ere  the  glad  hopes  of  youth  are  gone, 
Its  brightest  prospects  shaded — 

Ere  the  blush  from  thy  cheek  has  flown, 
To  leave  it  pale  and  faded — 

Remember  Him  who  guards  thy  years, 

And  saves  thy  cup  from  bitter  tears. 

He  will  bend  down  a  willing  ear 

To  childhood's  lowly  prayer  ; 
Thy  love,  that  fades  and  withers  here, 

He  will  gladly  garner  there. 
Remember  then  that  Father's  call, 
And  give  to  Him  thy  heart — thy  all. 


38  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 


Ps.  xxvii.  1  to  8. 

JL  HE  Lord  is  my  light  and  my  salvation  ;  whom 
shall  I  fear  ]  the  Lord  is  the  strength  of  my  life  ;  of 
whom  shall  I  be  afraid  1 

When  the  wicked,  even  mine  enemies  and  my  foes, 
came  upon  me  to  eat  up  my  flesh,  they  stumbled  and 
fell. 

Though  a  host  should  encamp  against  me,  my 
heart  shall  not  fear  :  though  war  should  rise  against 
me,  in  this  will  I  be  confident. 

One  thing  have  I  desired  of  the  Lord,  that  will  I 
seek  after :  that  I  may  dwell  in  the  house  of  the 
Lord  all  the  days  of  my  life,  to  behold  the  beauty  of 
the  Lord,  and  to  inquire  in  his  temple. 

For  in  the  time  of  trouble  he  shall  hide  me  in  his 
pavilion  :  in  the  secret  of  his  tabernacle  shall  he 
hide  me  ;  he  shall  set  me  up  upon  a  rock. 

And  now  shall  my  head  be  lifted  up  above  mine 
enemies  round  about  me  :  therefore  will  I  offer  in 
his  tabernacle  sacrifices  of  joy  ;  I  will  sing,  yea,  I 
will  sing  praises  unto  the  Lord. 

Hear,  O  Lord,  when  I  cry  with  my  voice  :  have 
mercy  also  upon  me,  and  answer  me. 

When  thou  saidst,  Seek  ye  my  face  ;  my  heart 
said  unto  thee,  Thy  face,  Lord,  will  I  seek. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  39 


SELF  DEDICATION. 


1  My  son,  give  me  thine  heart."     Prov.  xxiii.  26. 


My  God!  it  is  thy  call, 

And  can  I  silent  be  ? 
Can  I  resist  the  voice  that  pleads, 

So  earnestly  with  me  1 

Shall  I  refuse  to  give 

My  heart's  best  love  to  thee  1 
When  ev'ry  blessing  I  enjoy, 

Thou  hast  bestow'd  on  me  ? 

Oh  !  take  me  to  thy  arms, 

And  make  me  ever  thine  ; 

And  grant  that  to  thy  sacred  will, 
My  heart  may  still  incline. 

Save  me  from  ev'ry  sin — 

Wash  me  from  ev'ry  stain — 

And  from  my  Shepherd's  safe  embrace, 
May  I  ne'er  stray  again. 


40  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 

Prov.  iv.  1  to  11. 

JlIEAR,  ye  children,  the  instruction  of  a  father, 
and  attend  to  know  understanding. 

For  I  give  you  good  doctrine,  forsake  ye  not  my 
law. 

For  I  was  my  father's  son,  tender  and  only  he- 
loved  in  the  sight  of  my  mother. 

He  taught  me  also,  and  said  unto  me,  Let  thy 
heart  retain  my  words  :  keep  my  commandments, 
and  live. 

Get  wisdom,  get  understanding :  forget  it  not ; 
neither  decline  from  the  words  of  my  mouth. 

Forsake  her  not,  and  she  shall  preserve  thee  :  love 
her,  and  she  shall  keep  thee. 

Wisdom  is  the  principal  thing;  therefore  get  wis- 
dom :  and  with  all  thy  getting  get  understanding. 

Exalt  her,  and  she  shall  promote  thee  :  she  shall 
bring  thee  to  honor,  when  thou  dost  embrace  her. 

She  shall  give  to  thy  head  an  ornament  of  grace  : 
a  crown  of  glory  shall  she  deliver  to  thee. 

Hear,  O  my  son,  and  receive  my  saying  ;  and  the 
years  of  thy  life  shall  be  many. 

I  have  taught  thee  in  the  way  of  wisdom  ;  I  have 
led  thee  in  right  paths. 


41 


SACRED    MELODIES. 


PARENTAL  INFLUENCE. 


c:  My  son,  hear  the  instruction  of  thy  father,  and  forsake  not  the 
law  of  thy  mother."     Prov.  i.  8. 


WHEN  from  my  duty  I  depart, 
And  wring  with  grief  my  father's  heart, 
Let  his  reproof  my  errors  stay, 
And  lead  me  back  to  virtue's  way  ; 
His  kind  instruction  let  me  hear, 
Nor  deem  his  just  rebuke  severe. 

When  from  my  mother's  gentle  law 
My  heart  inclines  me  to  withdraw  ; 
Let  me  remember  all  her  cares, 
And  think  upon  her  anxious  pray'rs  ; 
Her  counsel  let  me  ne'er  forsake, 
Nor  cease  her  fond  advice  to  take. 

While  thus  I  live,  my  God  will  bless 
The  earthly  portion  I  possess  ; 
Will  guide  the  flight  of  youthful  years, 
And  save  me  from  the  sinner's  fears. 
His  love  will  light  me  on  the  way 
That  leads  to  everlasting  day. 


42  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 


John  x.  11  to  16. 

J.  AM  the  good  shepherd  :  the  good  shepherd  giveth 
his  life  for  the  sheep. 

But  he  that  is  a  hireling,  and  not  the  shepherd, 
whose  own  the  sheep  are  not,  seeth  the  wolf  coming, 
and  leaveth  the  sheep,  and  fleeth  ;  and  the  wolf 
catcheth  them,  and  scattereth  the  sheep. 

The  hireling  fleeth,  because  he  is  a  hireling,  and 
careth  not  for  the  sheep. 

I  am  the  good  shepherd,  and  know  my  sheep,  and 
am  known  of  mine. 

As  the  Father  knoweth  me,  even  so  know  I  the 
Father  :  and  I  lay  down  my  life  for  the  sheep. 

And  other  sheep  I  have,  which  are  not  of  this  fold  : 
them  also  I  must  bring,  and  they  shall  hear  my  voice  ; 
and  there  shall  be  one  fold,  and  one  shepherd. 

John  x.  27  to  29. 

iVxY  sheep  hear  my  voice,  and  I  know  them,  and 
they  follow  me  : 

And  I  give  unto  them  eternal  life  ;  and  they  shall 
never  perish,  neither  shall  any  man  pluck  them  out 
of  my  hand. 

My  Father,  which  gave  them  me,  is  greater  than 
all ;  and  no  man  is  able  to  pluck  them  out  of  my 
Father's  hand. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  43 

THE  GOOD  SHEPHERD. 

"Feed  my  lambs."     St  John  xxi.  15. 


OAVIOUR,  guardian  of  the  fold, 
See  thy  lambs  in  numbers  come ; 

Safe  among  thy  flock  enroll'd, 

Guide  them  to  their  future  home. 

Many  dangers  crowd  their  way  ; 

Many  snares  their  hearts  deceive ; 
When  in  errors  path  they  stray, 

From  that  path  their  souls  retrieve. 

Feed  them  with  that  better  food, 

Which  thy  hand  alone  can  give ; 

Wash  them  in  thy  precious  blood, 
And  their  early  sins  forgive. 

Save  them  too  from  future  ill — 

Lead  them  to  that  blissful  shore — 

Where  thy  love  awaits  them  still, 
To  be  theirs  for  ever  more. 


44  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 


Ps.  viii.  1  to  end. 


\J  LORD  our  Lord,  how  excellent  is  thy  name  in 
all  the  earth  !  who  hast  set  thy  glory  above  the 
heavens. 

Out  of  the  mouth  of  babes  and  sucklings  hast 
thou  ordained  strength  because  of  thine  enemies, 
that  thou  mightest  still  the  enemy  and  the  avenger. 

When  I  consider  thy  heavens,  the  work  of  thy 
fingers  ;  the  moon  and  the  stars,  which  thou  hast 
ordained  : 

What  is  man,  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him  ?  and 
the  son  of  man,  that  thou  visitest  him  ] 

For  thou  hast  made  him  a  little  lower  than  the 
angels,  and  hast  crowned  him  with  glory  and  honor. 

Thou  madest  him  to  have  dominion  over  the 
works  of  thy  hands :  thou  hast  put  all  things  under 
his  feet : 

All  sheep  and  oxen,  yea,  and  the  beasts  of  the 
field; 

The  fowl  of  the  air,  and  the  fish  of  the  sea,  and 
whatsoever  passeth  through  the  paths  of  the  seas. 

O  Lord  our  Lord,  how  excellent  is  thy  name  in 
all  the  earth  ! 


SACRED    MELODIES.  45 

ADORATION  OF  GOD. 


"O  Lord,  how  manifold  are  thy  works!  in  wisdom  hast  thou 
made  them  all :  the  earth  is  full  of  thy  riches."     Psalm  civ.  24. 


J_jET  me  adore  the  great  and  glorious  God 
Who  dwells  above  the  blue  and  shining  sky ; 

My  sight  can  never  reach  that  blest  abode, 
Nor  penetrate  the  mysteries  on  high. 

He  spoke — and  worlds  were  form'd  at  his  command — 
Sun,  moon,  and  earth  arose  'mid  empty  space— 

The  arch  of  heaven  by  starlight  brightness  spann'd 
Is  but  the  footstool  of  his  dwelling  place. 

He  breath'd — and  man  came  forth  a  living  soul— 
A  being  form'd  to  love  and  worship  him  ; 

But,  early  casting  off  divine  control, 

Man  soon  became  the  willing  slave  of  sin. 

E'en  then,  he  ceas'd  not  to  exert  his  pow'r, 
And  from  the  chains  of  sin  he  set  us  free  ; 

Christ  died  to  save  us  in  our  dying  hour, 
And  rose  again  to  give  us  victory. 

Tow'rds  heaven  then,  let  joyful  strains  ascend, 
From  hearts  devoted  to  their  Maker's  praise  ; 

While  saints  above  in  heav'nly  chorus  blend, 
And  to  his  throne  the  grateful  tribute  raise. 
5 


46  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 

Ps.  lxxxvi.  1  to  10. 

.DOW  down  thine  ear,  O  Lord,  hear  me  :  for  I  am 
poor  and  needy. 

Preserve  my  soul :  for  I  am  holy  :  O  thou  my 
God,  save  thy  servant  that  trusteth  in  thee. 

Be  merciful  unto  me,  O  Lord  :  for  I  cry  unto  thee 
daily. 

Rejoice  the  soul  of  thy  servant :  for  unto  thee,  O 
Lord,  do  I  lift  up  my  soul. 

For  thou,  Lord,  art  good  and  ready  to  forgive  ; 
and  plenteous  in  mercy  unto  all  them  that  call  upon 
thee. 

Give  ear,  O  Lord,  unto  my  prayer ;  and  attend  to 
the  voice  of  my  supplications. 

In  the  day  of  my  trouble  I  will  call  upon  thee  : 
for  thou  wilt  answer  me. 

Among  the  gods  there  is  none  like  unto  thee,  O 
Lord  ;  neither  arc  there  any  works  like  unto  thy 
works. 

All  nations  whom  thou  hast  made  shall  come  and 
worship  before  thee,  O  Lord  ;  and  shall  glorify  thy 
name. 

For  thou  art  great,  and  doest  wondrous  things  : 
thou  art  God  alone. 

Ps.  xxv.  4  and  5. 

JoHOW  me  thy  ways,  O  Lord  ;  teach  me  thy  paths. 
Lead  me  in  thy  truth,  and  teach  me  :  for  thou  art 
the  God  of  my  salvation  ;  on  thee  do  I  wait  all  the 
day. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  47 


DIVINE  AID. 


"  For  I  the  Lord  thy  God  will  hold  thy  right  hand,  saying  unto 
thee,  Fear  not;  I  will  help  thee."     Is.  xli.  13. 


Jb  ATHER  !  teach  ray  lips  to  praise  thee 
For  the  mercies  thou  hast  shown ; 

Let  the  love  that  seeks  to  save  me, 
Make  my  spirit  all  thy  own. 

Ev'ry  thing  I  see  around  me 

Thy  almighty  impress  wears; 

Each  kind  blessing  that  surrounds  me, 
To  my  heart  thy  love  endears. 

May  thy  grace  to  me  revealing 

Hidden  faults  I  know  not  now ; 

Help  to  curb  each  wayward  feeling — 
Teach  me  at  thy  feet  to  bow. 

Let  not  then  my  youth  be  wasting 

In  pursuit  of  idle  glee  ; 
Lest  the  hour  of  death  be  hast'ning, 

Ere  from  sin  I  learn  to  flee. 


48  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 

Matt,  xviii.  15.  21  and  22. 

lVlOREOVER,if  thy  brother  shall  trespass  against 
thee,  go  and  tell  him  his  fault  between  thee  and  him 
alone  :  if  he  shall  hear  thee,  thou  hast  gained  thy 
brother. 

Then  came  Peter  to  him,  and  said,  Lord,  how  oft 
shall  my  brother  sin  against  me,  and  1  forgive  him? 
till  seven  times  ? 

Jesus  saith  unto  him,  I  say  not  unto  thee,  Until 
seven  *times  ;  but,  Until  seventy  times  seven. 

Luke  xxiii.  33  and  34. 

AND  when  they  were  come  to  the  place  which  is 
called  Calvary,  there  they  crucified  him,  and  the 
malefactors;  one  on  the  right  hand,  and  the  other  on 
the  left. 

Then  said  Jesus,  Father,  forgive  them :  for  they 
know  not  what  they  do. 

Eph.  iv.  31  and  32. 

XjET  all  bitterness,  and  wrath,  and  anger,  and 
clamor,  and  evil-speaking,  be  put  away  from  you, 
with  all  malice  : 

And  be  ye  kind  one  to  another,  tender-hearted, 
forgiving  one  another,  even  as  God  for  Christ's  sake 
hath  forgiven  you. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  49 


FORGIVENESS. 


:{If  ye  forgive  not  men  their  trespasses,  neither  will  your  Father 
forgive  your  trespasses."     Matt.  vi.  15. 


W  HEN  upon  my  bended  knee, 

Thy  pardon  I  implore  ; 
Let  the  prayer  address'd  to  thee, 
Plead  also  for  mine  enemy, 
And  christian  love  restore. 

Let  not  th'  injury  remain 

To  rankle  in  my  breast ; 
If  those  I  love  have  giv'n  me  pain, 
Let  me-  all  angry  thoughts  restrain, 
And  leave  to  thee  the  rest. 

Thus  while  early  youth  is  mine, 

May  I  thy  precepts  love; 
And  oh  !  do  thou  ray  heart  incline, 
To  seek  the  aid  and  grace  divine, 
Imparted  from  above. 

5* 


50  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 

Job  v.  17  and  18. 

JDEHOLD,  happy  is  the  man  whom  God  correct- 
eth  :  therefore  despise  not  thou  the  chastening  of 
the  Almighty. 

For  he  maketh  sore,  and  bindeth  up  :   he  wound- 
eth,  and  his  hands  make  whole. 

Lam.  iii.  32  and  33. 

JdUT  though  he  cause  grief,  yet  will  he  have  com- 
passion according  to  the  multitude  of  his  mercies. 

For  he  doth  not  afflict  willingly,  nor  grieve  the 
children  of  men. 

Ps.  cxl.  12. 

A  KNOW  that  the  Lord  will  maintain  the  cause  of 
the  afflicted,  and  the  right  of  the  poor. 

Ps.  xxxiv.  19. 

1VJ.ANY  are  the  afflictions  of  the  righteous  :  but 
the  Lord  delivereth  him  out  of  them  all. 

II  Cor.  iv.  17  and  18. 

vJUR  light  affliction,  which  is  but  for  a  moment, 
worketh  for  us  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal 
weight  of  glory ; 

While  we  look  not  at  the  things  which  are  seen, 
but  at  the  things  which  are  not  seen  :  for  the  things 
which  are  seen  are  temporal ;  but  the  things  which 
are  not  seen  are  eternal. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  51 


AFFLICTION. 


11  God  is  our  refuge  and  strength,  a  very  present  help  in  trouble." 

Psalm  xlvi.  1. 


W  HEN  sorrow  rends  my  aching  heart, 
And  fills  my  eye  with  tears  ; 

To  thee,  oh  !   Father,  I  repair, 
With  all  my  anxious  fears. 

To  thee  I  go  when  death  dissolves 

The  ties  of  kindred  love  ; 
A  friend  to  find  in  Him,  who  took 

The  lost  one — now  above. 

In  ev'ry  grief  that  bears  me  down, 

1  seek  thy  tender  care  ; 
My  surest  help  is  ever  found 

In  humble,  earnest  pray'r. 

Oh  !  Father,  lead  me  to  thy  feet 

In  ev'ry  joy  or  ill ; 
And  let  me  cheerfully  resign 

My  wishes  to  thy  will. 


52  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 


Vs.  xxxix.  4  and  5. 

XjOKDj  make  me  to  know  mine  end,  and  the  mea- 
sure of  my  days,  what  it  is  ;  that  I  may  know  }iow 
frail  I  am. 

Behold,  thou  hast  made  my  days  as  a  handbreadth  ; 
and  mine  age  is  as  nothing  before  thee  :  verily  every 
man  at  his  best  state  is  altogether  vanity. 


Luke  xii.  16  to  21. 

jlxND  he  (Jesus)  spake  a  parable  unto  them,  say- 
ing, The  ground  of  a  certain  rich  man  brought  forth 
plentifully  : 

And  he  thought  within  himself,  saying,  What  shall 
I  do,  because  I  have  no  room  where  to  bestow  my 
fruits  % 

And  he  said,  This  will  I  do  :  I  will  pull  down  my 
barns,  and  build  greater  ;  and  there  will  I  bestow  all 
my  fruits  and  my  goods. 

And  I  will  say  to  my  soul,  Soul,  thou  hast  much 
goods  laid  up  for  many  years  ;  take  thine  ease,  eat, 
drink,  and  be  merry. 

But  God  said  unto  him,  Thou  fool,  this  night  thy 
soul  shall  be  required  of  thee  :  then  whose  shall 
those  things  be  which  thou  hast  provided  ? 

So  is  he  that  layeth  up  treasure  for  himself,  and 
is  not  rich  towards  God. 


SACRED     MELODIES.  53 


UNCERTAINTY  OF  LIFE. 


"  So  teach  us  to  number  our  days,  that  we  may  apply  our  hearts 
unto  wisdom."     Psalm  xc.  12. 


feOUL,  can'st  thou  tell  me  when  the  stroke  of  death 
Shall  lay  this  body  in  its  earthy  bed  ] 

Can'st  tell  me  when  the  spirit's  fleeting  breath 

Shall  leave  me,  to  be  number'd  with  the  dead  1 

When  will  the  summons  from  Jehovah  come 
That  bids  me  on  my  final  journey  go  ? 

Alas  !  the  hour  that  calls  me  to  my  home, 

None  but  the  Saviour  and  the  Spirit  know. 

The  glowing  hue  of  health  may  fade  away, 

And  this  young  form  be  wrapp'd  in  death's  em- 
brace ; 

No  pray'rs — no  tears  are  able  to  delay 

The  spirit's  passage  to  its  resting  place. 

Years  may  pass  by— and  I  may  still  be  spar'd 

To  serve  my  God  with  fervent,  humble  love  ; 

But  when  I'm  calTd,  oh  !  may  I  be  prepar'd 
To  enter  the  blest  realms  of  bliss  above. 


54  TEXTS  OF  SCRIPTURE. 


Ps.  xxiii. 

J_  HE  Lord  is  my  shepherd  ;  I  shall  not  want. 

He  maketh  me  to  lie  down  in  green  pastures  :  he 
leadeth  me  beside  the  still  waters. 

He  restoreth  my  soul :  he  leadeth  me  in  the  paths 
of  righteousness  for  his  name's  sake. 

Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil  :  for  thou  art 
with  me  ;  thy  rod  and  thy  staff  they  comfort  me. 

Thou  preparest  a  table  before  me  in  the  presence 
of  mine  enemies  :  thou  anointest  my  head  with  oil ; 
my  cup  runneth  over. 

Surely  goodness  and  mercy  shall  follow  me  all  the 
days  of  my  life  :  and  I  will  dwell  in  the  house  of 
the  Lord  for  ever. 

Ps.  xxxi.  23  and  24. 

\J  LOVE  the  Lord,  all  ye  his  saints  :  for  the  Lord 
preserveth  the  faithful,  and  plentifully  rewardeth 
the  proud  doer. 

Be  of  good  courage,  and  he  shall  strengthen  your 
heart,  all  ye  that  hope  in  the  Lord. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  55 


DAILY  PRESERVATION. 


11  The  Lord  is  my  Shepherd ;  I  shall  not  want.  He  maketh  me 
to  lie  down  in  green  pastures :  he  leadeth  me  beside  the  still 
waters."     Psalm  xxiii.  1  and  2. 


A  KNOW  the  hand  which  day  by  day 
With  blessings  strews  my  peaceful  way  ; 
Which  leads  me  safe  through  danger's  wave, 
And  crowns  with  joy  the  life  he  gave. 
To  him  my  feeble  voice  I'd  raise, 
And  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit  praise. 

Each  passing  hour  I  feel  his  care, 
While  all  his  bounteous  gifts  I  share  ; 
My  food  and  raiment,  health  and  friends, 
These  precious  gifts  he  kindly  sends. 
To  him  my  grateful  voice  I'd  raise, 
And  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit  praise. 

In  life's  dark  hours — in  sorrow's  gloom — 

His  Spirit  will  my  soul  illume ; 

Upon  my  path  its  brightness  throw, 

And  everlasting  light  bestow  ; 

To  him  my  youthful  voice  I'd  raise, 
And  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit  praise. 


56  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 


Heb.  iv.  12. 


X  HE  word  of  God  is  quick,  and  powerful,  and 
sharper  than  any  two-edged  sword,  piercing  even  to 
the  dividing  asunder  of  soul  and  spirit,  and  of  the 
joints  and  marrow,  and  is  a  discerner  of  the  thoughts 
and  intents  of  the  heart. 

Rom.  xv.  4. 

WHATSOEVER  things  were  written  aforetime, 
were  written  for  our  learning,  that  we  through 
patience  and  comfort  of  the  scriptures  might  have 
hope. 

II  Tim.  iii.  14.  to  17. 

CONTINUE  thou  in  the  things  which  thou  hast 
learned  and  hast  been  assured  of,  knowing  of  whom 
thou  hast  learned  them  ; 

And  that  from  a  child  thou  hast  known  the  holy 
scriptures,  which  are  able  to  make  thee  wise  unto 
salvation  through  faith  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus. 

All  scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  God,  and 
is  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correction, 
for  instruction  in  righteousness  : 

That  the  man  of  God  may  be  perfect,  thoroughly 
furnished  unto  all  good  works. 


SACRED    MELODIES. 


THE  BIBLE. 


"Thy  word  is  a  lamp  unto  my  feet,  and  a  light  unto  my  path." 

Psalm  cxix.  105. 


X  HOU  holy  book  !   upon  each  sacred  page 

I  see  the  impress  of  a  hand  divine  ; 
Address'd  to  youth,  to  manhood,  and  to  age, 

Oh  !  may  1  make  thy  precious  precepts  mine. 

The  gift  of  God — by  which  to  shape  our  way 
When  error  lures  our  yielding  feet  aside  ; 

Thy  counsels  can  reclaim  me  when  I  stray, 
And  in  the  path  of  life  my  footsteps  guide. 

Thou  show'st  me  too  how  man  has  left  his  God 
To  worship  earthly  idols  which  decay; 

And  how  in  love  he  sends  his  chast'ning  rod 
To  wean  us  from  the  hopes  on  which  we  stay. 

Thou  lead'st  me  to  th'  atoning  sacrifice, 

Which   nought   but  heav'nly   mercy  could  have 
plann'd  ; 

And  as  upon  the  cross  I  bend  my  eyes, 
It  points  the  pathway  to  a  better  land. 

Close  to  my  heart  may  God's  blest  gift  remain, 
And  with  my  actions  may  its  precepts  blend ; 

Until  my  soul  shall  future  bliss  attain, 

And  feel  the  happiness  that  knows  no  end. 
6 


58  TEXTS    OP    SCRIPTURE, 

Is.  lii.  7. 

jLLOW  beautiful  upon  the  mountains  are  the  feet 
of  him  that  bringethx  good  tidings,  that  publisheth 
peace;  that  bringeth  good  tidings  of  good,  that  pub- 
lisheth sanation ;  that  saith  unto  Zion,  Thy  God 
reigneth  ! 

Luke  ii.  4.  8  to  14. 

AND  Joseph  also  went  up  from  Galilee,  out  of 
the  city  of  Nazareth,  into  Judea,  unto  the  city  of 
David,  which  is  called  Bethlehem,  (because  he  was. 
of  the  house  and  lineage  of  David.) 

And  there  wrere  in  the  same  country  shepherds 
abiding  in  the  field,  keeping  watch  over  their  flock 
by  night. 

And  lo,  the  angel  of  the  Lord  came  upon  them, 
and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shone  round  about  them  ; 
and  they  were  sore  afraid. 

And  the  angel  said  unto  them,  Fear  not  :  for  be- 
hold, I  bring  you  good  tidings  of  great  joy,  which 
shall  be  to  all  people. 

For  unto  you  is  born  this  day,  in  the  city  of  David 
a  Saviour,  which  is  Christ  the  Lord. 

And  this  shall  be  a  sign  unto  you  ;  Ye  shall  find 
the  babe  wrapped  in  swaddling-clothes,  lying  in  a 
manger. 

And  suddenly  there  was  with  the  angel  a  multi- 
tude of  the  heavenly  host  praising  God,  and  saying, 

Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  and  on  earth  peace, 
good  will  toward  men. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  59 


CHRISTMAS. 


"  Unto  you  is  born  this  day,  in  the  city  of  David,  a  Saviour, 
which  is  Christ  the  Lord."     Luke  ii.  11. 


JJlEAR  the  glad  sounds  from  earth  ascend, 
While  angels  in  the  chorus  blend  ; 
"  The  Son  has  left  his  throne  in  heav'n, 
The  promis'd  Saviour  now  is  giv'n." 

Again  the  blending  voices  rise 

In  joyful  chorus  to  the  skies  ; 

"  He  comes  to  break  the  chains  of  sin, 

And  wand'rinor  souls  to  seek  and  win." 

o 

Another  and  a  louder  strain, 
From  earth  and  heav'n  is  heard  again ; 
"  He  comes  the  sinner's  soul  to  save, 
And  give  him  victory  o^er  the  grave." 

Once  more  th'  exulting  hymn  ascends, 
While  grateful  love  its  tribute  lends  ; 
To  God  on  high  all  glory  be, 
Good-will,  O  earth,  to  man  and  thee  ! 


60  TEXTS    OF   SCRIPTURE. 

Eccles.  iii.  20. 

-txLL  go  unto  one  place  ;  all  are  of  the  dust,  and 
all  turn  to  dust  again. 

Job  xix.  23  to  27. 

yj  THAT  my  words  were  now  written  !  O  that 
they  were  printed  in  a  book  ! 

That  they  were  graven  with  an  iron  pen  and  lead 
in  the  rock  for  ever  ! 

For  I  know  that  ray  Redeemer  liveth,  and  that  he 
shall  stand  at  the  latter  day  upon  the  earth  : 

And  though  after  my  skin  worms  destroy  this  body, 
yet  in  my  flesh  shall  I  see  God  : 

Whom  I  shall  see  for  myself,  and  mine  eyes  shall 
behold,  and  not  another. 

Job  xiv.  1  and  2. 

IVl AN  that  is  born  of  a  woman  is  of  few  days,  and 
full  of  trouble. 

He  cometh  forth  like  a  flower,  and  is  cut  down  : 
he  fleeth  also  as  a  shadow,  and  continueth  not. 

John  xi.  25  and  26. 

J  ESUS  said,  I  am  the  resurrection,  and  the  life  : 
he  that  believeth  in  me,  though  he  were  dead,  yet 
shall  he  live  : 

And  whosoever  liveth,  and  believeth  in  me,  shall 
never  die. 


SACRED     MELODIES.  61 


FUNERAL  HYMN. 


;  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord.':     Rev.  xiv.  13. 


V\  E   bear  the  body  to  its  long,  last  home, 
Unconscious  of  its  cold  and  earthy  bed  ; 

The  soul  to  its  final  account  hath  gone — 
The  spirit  to  another  world  hath  fled. 

Oh  !   pause  upon  the  brink  of  this  deep  grave. 

While  slowly  down,  that  coffin's  weight  descends: 
What  now  to  him,  is  all  this  earth  e'er  gave, 

Or  what  the  charm  that  worldly  pleasure  lends. 

But  a  bright  ray  darts  o'er  the  sadden'd  soul — 
A  christian's  love  once  glow'd  within  this  clay  ; 

A  christian's  hope  had  pointed  to  the  goal, 
While  yet  on  earth  he  trod  his  anxious  way. 

A  Saviour's  arms  that  parted  soul  receive — 
A  Father's  home  that  weary  pilgrim  gains — 

O'er  this  frail  clay  we  cannot — should  not  grieve. 
We  joy  for  him — that  joy  our  tears  restrains. 


6* 


62  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 


Deut.  xxviii.  1  to  8. 

Blessings  promised  o?i  Obedience. 
_/xND  it  shall  come  to  pass,  if  thou  shalt  hearken 
diligently  unto  the  voice  of  the  Lord  thy  God,  to 
observe  and  to  do  all  his  commandments  which  I 
command  thee  this  day  :  that  the  Lord  thy  God  will 
set  thee  on  high  above  all  nations  of  the  earth  : 

And  all  these  blessings  shall  come  on  thee,  and 
overtake  thee,  if  thou  shalt  hearken  unto  the  voice 
of  the  Lord  thy  God. 

Blessed  shalt  thou  be  in  the  city,  and  blessed  shalt 
thou  be  in  the  field. 

Blessed  shall  be  thy  basket  and  thy  store. 

Blessed  shalt  thou  be  when  thou  comest  in,  and 
blessed  shalt  thou  be  when  thou  goest  out. 

The  Lord  shall  cause  thine  enemies  that  rise  up 
against  thee  to  be  smitten  before  thy  face  :  they  shall 
come  out  against  thee  one  way,  and  flee  before  thee 
seven  ways. 

The  Lord  shall  command  the  blessing  upon  thee 
in  thy  store-houses,  and  in  all  that  thou  settest  thy 
hand  unto  :  and  he  shall  bless  thee  in  the  land  which 
the  Lord  thy  God  giveth  thee. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  63 

OBEDIENCE. 

"  Obey  my  voice,  and  I  will  be  your  God.5    Jar.  vii.  23. 


FATHER  !  I  strive  to  seek 
The  strait  and  narrow  way  : 

I  know  thou  wilt  not  fail  to  hear, 
When  I  for  guidance  pray. 

Oh  !  help  me  to  obey 

Thy  wise  and  gracious  will ; 
Teach  this  young  heart  thy  love  to  prize, 

And  holy  fear  instil. 

Oh  !   wean  me  from  the  world, 

That  spreads  around  its  snares, 

Let  not  my  soul  be  tempted  by 
Th'  alluring  smile  it  wears. 

Teach  me  to  bear  the  cross, 

Thou  dost  in  mercy  send  : 
'T  will  bring  me  to  my  Saviour's  arms, 

And  strength  unearthly  lend. 

That  Saviour  will  support 

My  soul  with  heav'nly  pow'r  ; 

He  bore  a  heavier  cross  than  mine 

He  felt  a  dying  hour. 


64  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 


Bct  .       :  17. 

AjFTKB  tin  I   be beJd,  and  lo,  a  great  multitude. 

-.no  ma:  namber,    of  a-  and 

J  tongues,  stood  before  the 

::b,  clothed  with  white 

their  ha 

1  cried  with  a  load  -     E    nation  to 

our  God  :-th  upon  the  throne,  and  unto  the 

1 

I  one  of  -  answere  ■  unto  me, 

ichare  arrayed  in  white  r: 
and   whence  came  they  ? 

And  I  said  unto  him,  Sir,  thou  knowest.     And  he 
ese  are  they  which  came  out  of  great 
ition,  and  ha  i  their  robes,  and  made 

them  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb. 

The  e  they  before  the  throne  of  God,  and 

E  him  day  and   night  in  his  temple  :  and  he  that 

i  on  the  throne  shall  dwell  among  them. 

They  shall  hunger  no   more,  neither  thirst  any 

-  .   neither  shall  the  sun  light  on  them,  nor  any 

For  the  Lamb  which  is  in  the  midst  of  the  throne 
1  :hera,  and  shall  lead  them  unto  living  foun- 
of  waters  ;  and  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears 
their  e 


-:" 


TV 


E : :  T:  i.;-:    :•■*. ;::  .-.    ::.■*:  M:-.:.".  Z.:.~.     1.1:    .1"..:    ::. ■:  :.:~  :•:  ".  i-: 


T-;-":.f:  ".~e  :.i"e:fi::    :  :  _~  :  -i:e  : :  :  -:s:  . 

3  ^ :  :  u :  71  -  1  e  t  '::.  r  :   -  e  - ':.  e.  '.    -e 

Strive  :..t..    :.•-..     :.:  reicb  :ii.: 

Jes -.5  : 1  ;■•  Si  — ; :  1:  z  1  i's  lire  ;:z:.-  . 

T 1  r . 


We  shall  be  ever  happy  tfaeire, 

A::.:  :"fe"  :.     -:*::-  —    r/:~f:    ::  :i:.: 
The  joys  of  angels  we  shall  share,, 

; 
Tiiine.  7i::.e:'.  ::-v  I  5:::^  : :   :  e. 

Ar.i    e:  ::e  ^:^:  ~;  i::r::::  ::.  :*:. ee 


66  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 

Ps.  cxli.  1  and  2. 

J-iORD,  I  cry  unto  thee  :  make  haste  unto  me  ; 
give  ear  unto  my  voice,  when  I  cry  unto  thee. 

Let  my  prayer  be  set  forth  before  thee  as  incense  ; 
and  the  lifting  up  of  my  hands  as  the  evening 
sacrifice. 

Ps.  v.  3. 

IVJLY  voice  shalt  thou  hear  in  the  morning,  O  Lord  ; 
in  the  morning  will  I  direct  my  prayer  unto  thee, 
and  will  look  up. 

Is.  lxv.  24. 

AND  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  before  they  call,  I 
will  answer ;  and  while  they  are  yet  speaking,  I 
will  hear. 

Matt.vi.    5  and  6. 

A.ND  when  thou  prayest,  thou  shalt  not  be  as  the 
hypocrites  are :  for   they  love   to   pray   standing  in 
the  synagogues,  and   in  the  corners  of  the   streets,, 
that  they  may  be  seen  of  men.     Verily,  I  say  unto 
you,  They  have  their  reward. 

But  thou,  when  thou  prayest,  enter  into  thy 
closet,  and  when  thou  hast  shut  thy  door,  pray  to 
thy  Father  which  is  in  secret ;  and  thy  Father, 
which  seeth  in  secret,  shall  reward  thee  openly. 


SACRED    MELODIES,  67 


DAILY  PRAYER. 


:{ Evening,  and  morning,  and  at  noon,  will  I  pray,  and  cry  aloud  ; 
find  he  shall  hear  my  voice."     Psalm  lv.  17. 


SAVIOUR,  let  my  humble  prayer 
To  thy  throne  in  beav'n  ascend ; 

All  my  youthful  faults  regretting, 
Lowly  on  my  knees  I  bend. 

Saviour,  let  not  wicked  anger 

Rule  a  breast  so  young  as  mine  ; 

Oh  !  let  gentle  peace  descending, 
Make  my  heart  entirely  thine. 

Saviour,  let  me  ask  thy  blessing 
Ev'ry  morning  when  I  rise  ; 

And  as  each  day's  sun  's  declining, 
Pray  to  thee  beyond  the  skies. 

Saviour,  pardon  all  my  errors, 

Lead  my  youthful  heart  to  thee  ; 

And  upon  thy  care  depending, 

To  thy  sheltering  arms  I  flee. 


£3  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 

Ps.  lxxxiv.  1  to  4  and  7. 
HOW    amiable   are   thy  tabernacles,  O  Lord  of 

liosts  ' 

My  soul  longetli,  yea,  even  fainteth  for  the  courts 
of  the  Lord  :  my  heart  and  tny  flesh  crieth  out  for 
the  living  God. 

Yea,  the  sparrow  hath  found  a  house,  and  the 
swallow  a  nest  for  herself,  where  she  may  lay  her 
young,  even  thine  altars,  O  Lord  of  hosts,  my  King, 
and  my  God. 

Blessed  are  they  that  dwell  in  thy  house:  they 
will  be  still  praising  thee. 

They  go  from  strength  to  strength,  every  one  oj 
them  in  Zion  appeareth  before  God. 

Ps.  lxxxiv.  10  to  12. 
FOR  a  day  in  thy  courts  is  better  than  a  thousand. 
I  had  rather  be  a  door-keeper  in  the  house  of  my 
God,  than  to  dwell  in  the  tents  of  wickedness. 

For  the  Lord  God  is  a  sun  and  shield :  the  Lord 
will  give  grace  and  glory;  no  good  thing  will  he 
withhold  from  them  that  walk  uprightly. 

O  Lord  of  hosts,  blessed  is  the  man  that  trusteth 
in  thee. 

Ps.  lxv.  4. 

BLESSED  is  the  man  whom  thou  choosest,  and 
causest  to  approach  unto  thee,  that  he  may  dwell  in 
thy  courts  :  we  shall  be  satisfied  with  the  goodness 
of  thy  house,  even  of  thy  holy  temple. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  69 


SABBATH  EVENING. 

u  I  have  no  greater  joy  than  to  hear  that  my  children  walk  in 
truth."    3  John  4. 


J_  HE  sun  has  sunk  beneath  the  sky, 
And  stars  are  lighted  up  on  high  ; 
Another  Sabbath-day  has  past, 
Perhaps  on  earth  to  be  my  last. 

And  if  before  a  week  has  flown 
God  should  recall  me  as  his  own ; 
Oh  !   am  I  now  prepar'd  to  die, 
And  meet  my  Saviour  in  the  sky  1 

Is  there  no  wicked  deed  or  word, 
Which  God  in  heav'n  has  seen  or  heard  ; 
And  which  will  make  me  fear  to  meet 
My  Saviour  on  his  judgment  seat  ? 

Have  I  to  others  gentle  been, 

And  check'd  the  angry  thought  within  ? 

Or  have  I  yielded  to  my  pride, 

And  hop'd  from  God  that  sin  to  hide  ? 

Oh  !  let  me  learn  to  love  him  here, 
That  when  I  at  his  bar  appear, 
My  many  sins  may  be  forgiv'n 
And  I  may  dwell  with  him  in  heav'n. 

7 


70  TEXTS  OF  SCRIPTURE. 


Heb.  xii.  5  to  11. 


IVxY  son,  despise  not  thou  the  chastening  of  the 
Lord,  nor  faint  when  thou  art  rebuked  of  him  : 

For  whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth,  and 
scourgeth  every  son  whom  he  receiveth. 

If  ye  endure  chastening,  God  dealeth  with  you  as 
with  sons  :  for  what  son  is  he  whom  the  father  chas- 
teneth not  1 

But  if  ye  be  without  chastisement,  whereof  all  are 
partakers,  then  are  ye  bastards,  and  not  sons. 

Furthermore,  we  have  had  fathers  of  our  flesh 
which  corrected  us,  and  we  gave  them  reverence  : 
shall  we  not  much  rather  be  in  subjection  unto  the 
Father  of  spirits,  and  live  ? 

For  they  verily  for  a  few  days  chastened  us  after 
their  own  pleasure  ;  but  he  for  our  profit,  that  we 
might  be  partakers  of  his  holiness. 

Now  no  chastening  for  the  present  seemeth  to  be 
joyous,  but  grievous  :  nevertheless,  afterward  it 
yieldeth  the  peaceable  fruit  of  righteousness  unto 
them  which  are  exercised  thereby. 

Job  i.  21. 

IN  AKED  came  I  out  of  my  mother's  womb,  and 
naked  shall  i  return  thither:  The  Lord  gave,  and 
the  Lord  hath  taken  away;  blessed  be  the  name  of 
the  Lord. 


SACRED     MELODIES.  *j  \ 


RESIGNATION. 


"Father!  if  thou  be  willing,  remove  this  cup  from  me;  never- 
theless, not  my  will,  but  thine,  be  done."     Luke  xxii.  42. 


1  EACH  me,  oh  !  God,  my  wishes  to  resign, 

When  thou  recall's!  the  gifts  thou  dost  bestow ; 
It  ill  becomes  thy  creatures  to  repine, 

When  all  they  have,  to  thee  alone  they  owe. 

The  health  that  now  invigorates  this  frame, 
May  soon  give  place  to  sickness'  painful  sway  : 

From  thee  alone  the  precious  blessing  came, 
'Twas  thine  to  give— 'tis  thine  to  take  away. 

Trials  which  heretofore  have  been  withheld, 
May  try  my  soul  with  anguish  now  unknown  ; 

Thy  chastening  rod  will  future  comfort  yield, 
And  give  in  joy,  what  I  in  tears  have  sown. 

Fearing  no  ill— dreading  no  earthly  loss— 

The  christian's  soul  from  sinful  murm'rings  free  ; 

May  cast  its  burthen  on  the  Saviour's  cross, 
And  without  tears  resign  its  will  to  thee. 


12 


TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 


1  Tim.  i.  15. 

JL  HIS  is  a  faithful  saying,  and  worthy  of  all  accep- 
tation, that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save 
sinners  ;  of  whom  I  am  chief. 

John  iii.  16  and  17. 

VJOD  so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only  be- 
gotten Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him,  should 
not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life. 

For  God  sent  not  his  Son  into  the  world  to  con- 
demn the  world,  but  that  the  world  through  him 
might  be  saved. 

John  iv.  13  and  14. 

WHOSOEVER  drinketh  of  this  water,  shall  thirst 
again  : 

But  whosoever  drinketh  of  the  water  that  I  shall 
give  him,  shall  never  thirst ;  but  the  water  that  I 
shall  give  him,  shall  be  in  him  a  well  of  water 
springing  up  into  everlasting  life. 

Matt,  xviii.  11. 

JL  HE  Son  of  man  is  come  to  save  that  which 
was  lost. 

Heb.  vii.  25. 

WHEREFORE  he  is  able  also  to  save  them  to 
the  uttermost  that  come  unto  God  by  him,  seeing 
he  ever  liveth  to  make  intercession  for  them. 


S.iCRED    MELODIES.  73 


SALVATION. 

::  There  is  none  other  name  under  heaven  given  among  men 
whereby  we  must  be  saved."     Acts  iv.  12. 


J  ESUS  !  source  of  my  salvation, 
Lead  me  to  that  healing  spring  ; 

Open'd  freely  to  each  nation, 
Flowing  yet,  relief  to  bring. 

Guide,  oh  !  guide  me  to  that  fountain 
Streaming  still,  a  hallow'd  rlood  ; 

From  thy  throne  on  Zion's  mountain, 
View  the  sinner  through  thy  blood. 

Lost  and  ruin'd — all  degraded — 
Man  may  at  thy  footstool  bow  ; 

Love  divine  was  never  shaded, 
Let  me  try  its  mercy  now. 

If  a  heart  to  thee  surrender'd, 
Proves  its  penitence  sincere  ; 

Thou'lt  forgive  though  it  had  wander'd, 
And  revoke  its  doom  severe. 

Thine  the  suff'ring — thine  the  power 
To  release  the  soul  from  sin  ; 

Break  thou  my  fetters  from  this  hour, 
Help  me  future  bliss  to  win. 
7* 


74 


TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 


Eph.  vi.  1  to  3. 

CHILDREN,  obey  your  parents  in  the  Lord  :  for 
this  is  right. 

Honor  thy  father  and  mother,  (which  is  the  first 
commandment  with  promise,) 

That  it  may  be  well  with  thee,  and  thou  mayest 
live  long  on  the  earth. 

Prov.  x.  1. 

A.  WISE  son  maketh  a  glad  father  :  but  a  foolish 
son  is  the  heaviness  of  his  mother. 

Prov.  xv.  5. 

J\-  FOOL  despiseth  his  father's  instruction  :  but 
he  that  regardeth  reproof  is  prudent. 

Prov.  vi.  20  to  23. 

lVlY  son,  keep  thy  father's  commandment,  and  for- 
sake not  the  law  of  thy  mother  : 

Bind  them  continually  upon  thy  heart,  and  tie 
them  about  thy  neck. 

When  thou  goest,  it  shall  lead  thee ;  when  thou 
sleepest,  it  shall  keep  thee  ;  and  when  thou  awakest, 
it  shall  talk  with  thee. 

For  the  commandment  is  a  lamp  ;  and  the  law 
is  light ;  and  reproofs  of  instruction  are  the  way 
of  life. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  75 

FILIAL    DUTY. 

c:  Honor  thy  father  and  thy  mother."     Exodus  xx.  12. 


VJTOD  loves  the  child  who  early  fears 

To  give  fond  parents  pain, 
By  angry  words  or  fretful  tears, 

When  they  some  wish  restrain. 

For  children  surely  cannot  know 

What  prudence  would  condemn  ; 

And  parents  gladly  will  bestow, 
What  is  the  best  for  them. 

And  let  not  disobedience  wound 
The  tender  hearts  of  those 

Who  nurs'd  your  infancy,  and  found 
A  balm  for  all  your  woes. 

They  rock'd  your  cradle — but  the  grave 
May  soon  their  forms  contain  ; 

Then  you  will  wish,  and  yearn,  and  crave, 
Their  love  to  know  again. 


76  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 

Ps.  li.  17. 

X  HE  sacrifices  of  God  are  a  broken  spirit :  a 
broken  and  a  contrite  heart,  O  God,  thou  wilt  not 
despise. 

Ps.  xxxiv.  18. 

_L  HE  Lord  is  nigh  unto  them  that  are  of  a  broken 
heart  ;  and  saveth  such  as  be  of  a  contrite  spirit. 

Luke  xviii.  9  to  14. 

AND  he  (Jesus)  spake  this  parable  unto  certain 
which  trusted  in  themselves  that  they  were  righte- 
ous, and  despised  others  : 

Two  men  went  up  into  the  temple  to  pray ;  the 
one  a  Pharisee,  and  the  other  a  publican. 

The  Pharisee  stood  and  prayed  thus  with  himself, 
God,  I  thank  thee,  that  I  am  not  as  other  men  are, 
extortioners,  unjust,  adulterers,  or  even  as  this  pub- 
lican. 

I  fast  twice  in  the  week,  I  give  tithes  of  all  that 
I  possess. 

And  the  publican,  standing  afar  off,  would  not  lift 
up  so  much  as  7iis  eyes  unto  heaven,  but  smote  upon 
his  breast,  saying,  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner. 

I  tell  you,  this  man  went  down  to  his  house  justi- 
fied rather  than  the  other  :  for  every  one  that  exalt- 
eth  himself  shall  be  abased;  and  he  that  humbleth 
himself  shall  be  exalted. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  77 


HUMILITY. 


"  Humble  yourselves  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  and  he  shall  lift 
you  up."    James  iv.  10. 


-H.ELP  me,  oh  !  Father,  to  subdue 

My  heart's  inherent  pride  ; 
My  secret  sins  hold  up  to  view — 
Repentance  let  me  now  renew — 

Nor  strive  my  guilt  to  hide. 

Thou  know'st  my  wand'rings — Thou  alone 

This  erring  heart  canst  see  ; 
Oh!  may  the  mercies  I  have  known, 
Make  my  young  spirit  all  thine  own, 
And  lead  my  steps  to  thee. 

Thou  canst  repress  the  rising  pride 
That  'gainst  thee  would  rebel ; 

The  contrite  sinner  thou  wilt  guide, 

And  turn  the  shafts  of  sin  aside, 
And  Satan's  temptings  quell. 

Unworthy  of  thy  tender  care 

I  often  stray  from  thee  ; 
Oh !  may  I  humbly  seek  in  pray'r 
Thy  heavenly  regard  to  share, 

And  strive  from  sin  to  flee. 


78  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 


Ps.  Ixv.  I  and  2. 

X  RAISE  waiteth  for  thee,  O  God,  in  Zion  :  and 
unto  thee  shall  the  vow  be  performed. 

O  thou  that  nearest  prayer,  unto  thee  shall  all  flesh 
come. 

Ps.  Ixv.  8  to  13. 

i  HEY  also  that  dwell  in  the  uttermost  parts  are 
afraid  at  thy  tokens  :  thou  makest  the  out-goings  of 
the  morning  and  evening  to  rejoice. 

Thou  visitest  the  earth,  and  waterest  it :  thou 
greatly  enrichest  it  with  the  river  of  God,  which  is 
full  of  water  :  thou  preparest  them  corn,  when  thou 
hast  so  provided  for  it. 

Thou  waterest  the  ridges  thereof  abundantly  : 
thou  settlest  the  furrows  thereof:  thou  makest  it 
soft  with  showers :  thou  blessest  the  springing 
thereof. 

Thou  crownest  the  year  with  thy  goodness  ;  and 
thy  paths  drop  fatness. 

They  drop  upon  the  pastures  of  the  wilderness  : 
and  the  little  hills  rejoice  on  every  side. 

The  pastures  are  clothed  with  flocks  ;  the  valleys 
also  are  covered  over  with  corn  j  they  shout  for  joy, 
they  also  sing. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  79 


THE  SEASONS. 

:'  Nevertheless  he  left  not  himself  without  witness,  in  that  he  did 
good,  and  gave  us  rain  from  heaven,  and  fruitful  seasons,  filling 
our  hearts  with  food  and  gladness.'5     Acts  xiv.  17. 


J  X  Spring,  behold  the  tender  bud 
Just  peeping  from  the  stem  ; 

While  tiny  leaflets  cloth'd  in  green, 
Compose  its  diadem. 

In  Summer,  see  the  op'ning  flow'r 

Its  brilliant  tints  display  ; 
It  gives  fair  promise  of  the  fruit, 

That  will  our  toil  repay. 

In  Autumn,  see  the  plenteous  store 
We  gather  from  the  field  ; 

No  hand  but  that  of  God  could  cause 
The  earth  such  fruit  to  yield. 

But  Winter  comes — 'tis  that  the  ground 
May  'neath  the  snow  repose  ; 

To  gain  fresh  fruitfulness  and  strength, 
Ere  Spring's  next  blossom  blows. 

In  ev'ry  season  let  me  trace 

The  goodness  all  divine, 
That  watches  o'er  the  seed  I  plant, 

And  makes  the  increase  mine. 


SO  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 


Phil.  ii.  5  to  11. 

JLiET  this  mind  be  in  you,  which  was  also  in  Christ 
Jesus  : 

Who,  being  in  the  form  of  God,  thought  it  not 
robbery  to  be  equal  with  G-od  : 

But  made  himself  of  no  reputation,  and  took  upon 
him  the  form  of  a  servant,  and  was  made  in  the  like- 
ness of  men  ; 

And  being  found  in  fashion  as  a  man,  he  humbled 
himself,  and  became  obedient  unto  death,  even  the 
death  of  the  cross. 

Wherefore  God  also  hath  highly  exalted  him,  and 
given  him  a  name  which  is  above  every  name  : 

That  at  the  name  of  Jesus  every  knee  should  bow, 
of  things  in  heaven,  and  things  in  earth,  and  things 
under  the  earth  ; 

And  that  every  tongue  should  confess  that  Jesus 
Christ  is  Lord,  to  the  glory  of  God  the  Father. 

Rev.  v.  12  and  13. 

W  ORTHY  is  the  Lamb  that  was  slain  to  receive 
power,  and  riches,  and  wisdom,  and  strength,  and 
honor,  and  glory,  and  blessing. 

And  every  creature  which  is  in  heaven,  and  on 
the  earth,  and  under  the  earth,  and.  such  as  are  in 
the  sea,  and  all  that  are  in  them,  heard  I  saying 
Blessing,  and  honour,  and  glory,  and  power,  he  unto 
him  thatsitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  unto  the  Lamb, 
for  ever  and  ever. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  81 


THE  CROSS. 


u  God  forbid  that  I  should  glory,  save  in  the  cross  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ."     Gal.  vi.  14. 


A  HE  cross  of  Christ,  oh  !  pilgrim,  view, 
'T  will  cheer  thee  on  thy  weary  road  ; 
Its  friendly  shade  will  strength  renew — 
Its  shelter  prove  a  blest  abode. 

The  cross  of  Christ,  oh  !  mortal,  see, 
It  points  a  home  beyond  the  grave ; 

A  Saviour  died  upon  that  tree, 

That  Saviour  lives  thy  soul  to  save. 

The  cross  of  Christ,  oh  !  sinner,  seek, 
And  lay  thy  heavy  burthen  there  ; 

No  pray'rs,  no  tears,  can  ever  speak 

The  gratitude  thy  heart  should  share. 

The  cross  of  Christ,  oh  !  christian,  prize — 
It  stands  between  thy  Judge  and  thee; 

A  pledg'd  memorial  in  his  eyes, 
An  ark  of  safety  still  to  be. 


82  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 

Matt.  v.  6. 

XjLESSED  are  they  which  do  hunger  and  thirst 
after  righteousness  :  for  they  shall  be  filled. 

Ps.  xxxvii.  23  to  29. 

JL  HE  steps  of  a  good  man  are  ordered  by  the  Lord : 
and  he  delighteth  in  his  way. 

Though  he  fall,  he  shall  not  be  utterly  cast  down  : 
for  the  Lord  upholdeth  him  with  his  hand. 

1  have  been  young,  and  now  am  old ;  yet  have  I 
not  seen  the  righteous  forsaken,  nor  his  seed  begging 
bread. 

He  is  ever  merciful  and  lendeth ;  and  his  seed  is 
blessed. 

Depart  from  evil,  and  do  good ;  and  dwell  for 
evermore. 

For  the  Lord  loveth  judgment,  and  forsaketh  not 
his  saints ;  they  are  preserved  for  ever  :  but  the 
seed  of  the  wicked  shall  be  cut  off. 

The  righteous  shall  inherit  the  land,  and  dwell 
therein  for  ever. 

Ps.  xxxvii.  6. 

AND  he  shall  bring  forth  thy  righteousness  as  the 
light,  and  thy  judgment  as  the  noon-day. 

Ps.  xxxvii.  9. 

JT  OR  evil  doers  shall  be  cut  off:  but  those  that 
wait  upon  the  Lord,  they  shall  inherit  the  earth. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  83 


HOLINESS. 


"Follow  peace  with  all  men,  and  holiness,  without  which  no 
man  shall  see  the  Lord."     Heb.  xii.  14. 


A  HOU  great  Jehovah  !   in  whose  sight 
The  hue  of  heaven  is  not  pure ; 

Illume  my  soul  with  wisdom's  light, 
And  teach  me  virtue  to  secure. 

With  tears  to  thee  I  humbly  pray, 

Oh  !  wash  my  guiltiness  away. 

My  feeble  efforts  can  but  fail, 

Unless  thy  grace  assistance  give  ; 

Almighty  power  can  prevail, 

And  bid  the  contrite  sinner  live. 

That  grace  I  crave — that  pow'r  implore — 
Oh  1  make  me  thine  for  evermore. 

Though  young  in  years  I  know  thy  will, 
And  wish  the  paths  of  sin  to  shun  ; 

The  stream  of  grace  is  flowing  still — 
Its  precious  blessings  may  be  won. 

To  thee,  oh  !   God,  I  humbly  pray, 

Wash  thou  my  guiltiness  away. 


84  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 


Luke  xii.  22  to  31. 

XxND  he  (Jesus)  said  unto  his  disciples,  There- 
fore I  say  unto  you,  take  no  thought  for  your  life, 
what  ye  shall  eat ;  neither  for  the  body,  what  ye 
shall  put  on. 

The  life  is  more  than  meat,  and  the  body  is  more 
than  raiment. 

Consider  the  ravens :  for  they  neither  sow  nor 
reap  :  which  neither  have  store-house  nor  barn  ;  and 
God  feedeth  them.  How  much  more  are  ye  better 
than  the  fowls  ? 

And  which  of  you  with  taking  thought  can  add 
to  his  stature  one  cubit  1 

If  ye  then  be  not  able  to  do  that  thing  which  is 
least,  why  take  ye  thought  for  the  rest  ? 

Consider  the  lilies  how  they  grow.  They  toil  not, 
they  spin  not ;  and  yet  I  say  unto  you,  that  Solomon 
in  all  his  glory  was  not  arrayed  like  one  of  these. 

If  then  God  so  clothe  the  grass,  which  is  to-day 
in  the  field,  and  to-morrow  is  cast  into  the  oven  ; 
how  much  more  will  he  clothe  you,  O  ye  of  little 
faith  % 

And  seek  not  ye  what  ye  shall  eat,  or  what  ye 
shall  drink,  neither  be  ye  of  doubtful  mind. 

For  all  these  things  do  the  nations  of  the  world 
seek  after  :  and  your  Father  knoweth  that  ye  have 
need  of  these  things. 

But  rather  seek  ye  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  all 
these  things  shall  be  added  unto  you. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  85 


TRUST  IN  GOD. 


;( Cast  thy  burthen  upon  the  Lord,  and  he  shall  sustain  thee." 

Psalm  lv.  22. 


vJH  !  let  me  trust  in  God, 

And  fear  no  earthly  ill ; 
Convinc'd  that  he  will  shelter  those 

Who  strive  to  do  his  will. 

The  lily  of  the  field 

In  gorgeous  robe  I  see  ; 

The  God  who  ting'd  its  glowing  hue, 
Will  also  care  for  me. 

The  sparrow  to  its  home 

In  other  climes  can  flee  ; 

The  God  who  guides  it  on  the  wing, 
That  God  will  care  for  me. 

His  pow'r  divine,  I  trace 

In  each  created  thing  ; 
The  blade  of  grass — the  tow'ring  oak 

By  him  are  made  to  spring. 

Thus  far  throughout  my  life, 

I've  known  his  guardian  care; 

Oh  !  may  I  still  his  goodness  trust, 
And  his  protection  share. 

8* 


86  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 

Is.  i.  16  to  18. 

W  ASH  you,  make  you  clean  :  put  away  the  evil 
of  your  doings  from  before  mine  eyes  ;  cease  to  do 
evil ; 

Learn  to  do  well ;  seek  judgment,  relieve  the  op- 
pressed, judge  the  fatherless,  plead  for  the  widow. 

Come  now,  and  let  us  reason  together,  saith  the 
Lord  :  though  your  sins  be  as  scarlet,  they  shall  be 
as  white  as  snow;  though  they  be  red  like  crimson, 
they  shall  be  as  wool. 


i, 


Is.  xliii.  25. 


EVEN  I,  am  he  that  blotteth  out  thy  trans- 
gression for  mine  own  sake,  and  will  not  remember 
thy  sins. 

Is.  xliv.  22. 

X  HAVE  blotted  out,  as  a  thick  cloud,  thy  trans- 
gressions, and  as  a  cloud,  thy  sins  :  return  unto  me ; 
for  I  have  redeemed  thee. 

I  John  i.  7  to  9. 

XF  we  walk  in  the  light,  as  he  is  in  the  light,  we 
have  fellowship  one  with  another,  and  the  blood  of 
Jesus  Christ  his  Son  cleanseth  us  from  all  sin. 

If  we  say  that  we  have  no  sin,  we  deceive  our- 
selves, and  the  truth  is  not  in  us. 

If  we  confess  our  sins,  he  is  faithful  and  just  to 
forgive  us  our  sins,  and  to  cleanse  us  from  all  un- 
righteousness. 


SACRED     MELODIES.  87 


PARDON. 


"Let  the  wicked  forsake  his  way,  and  the  unrighteous  man  his 
thoughts  :  and  let  him  return  unto  the  Lord,  and  he  will  have 
mercy  upon  him  ;  and  to  our  God,  for  he  will  abundantly  pardon  . 

Is.  lv.  7. 


XVE  MEMBER  not,  oh  !  God,  the  sins  of  early  years, 

Nor  mark  the  guilt  that  clings  to  this  frail  form 

of  clay ; 

My  youthful  errors  have  been  mourn'd  with  bitter 

tears, 

Yet  tears  of  blood,  alas,  can  ne'er  wash  sin  away. 

Another's  intercession  can  with  thee  prevail — 
Another's  sacrifice  can  for  my  sins  atone — 

There  is  a  fountain  open'd  that  can  never  fail, 
Its  living  waters  cleanse  the  heart  they  flow  upon. 

Yes !  Father,  here  I  plead,  a  Saviour's  thorny 
crown —  ■ 

A  Saviour's  heavy  cross — a  Saviour's  cruel  rod — 
For  me,  those  mortal  suft'rings  bore  his  spirit  down, 

For  me,  he  fac'd  the  wrath  of  an  offended  God. 

Beneath  that  blood-stain'd  cross,  my  refuge  I  have 
found  ; 
No  mourning  pilgrim  to  its  shade  e'er  vainly  came; 
A  blest  Redeemer's  arms  my  timid  soul  surround, 
Thou,  Father,  wilt  forgive,   when  I  that  shelter 
claim. 


88  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 

Ps.  xlvi.  I  to  3. 

vJOD  is  our  refuge  and  strength,  a  very  present 
help  in  trouble. 

Therefore  will  not  we  fear,  though  the  earth  be 
removed,  and  though  the  mountains  be  carried  into 
the  midst  of  the  sea  ; 

Though  the  waters  thereof  roar  and.  be  troubled, 
though  the  mountains  shake  with  the  swelling 
thereof. 

Ps.  Ixii;  7  and  8. 

IN  God  is  my  salvation  and  my  glory  :  the  rock  of 
my  strength,  and  my  refuge,  is  in  God* 

Trust  in  him  at  all  times  ;  ye  people,  pour  out 
your  heart  before  him  :.  God  is  a  refuge  for  us. 

John  xv.  13  to  16. 

VJREATER  love  hath  no  man  than  this,  that  a 
man  lay  down  his  life  for  his  friends. 

Ye  are  my  friends,  if  ye  do  whatsoever  I  com- 
mand you. 

Henceforth  I  call  you  not  servants ;  for  the  ser- 
vant knoweth  not  what  his  lord  doeth  :  but  I  have 
called  you  friends ;  for  all  things  that  I  have  heard 
of  my  Father,  I  have  made  known  unto  you. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  89 


THF  BETTER  FRIEND. 

1  There  is  a  friend  that  sticketh  closer  than  a  brother ." 

Prov.  xviii.  24. 


W  HERE  shall  I  seek  a  steadfast  friend, 
When  earthly  cares  my  spirit  grieve  % 

When  sorrows  with  ray  comforts  blende 
And  hope  allures  but  to  deceive  ? 

A  father's  kindness  oft  will  cheer 

The  gloom  of  dark  dejection's  hour ; 

A  mother's  love  is  doubly  dear, 

When  clouds  upon  our  pathway  IbwV. 

A  youthful  friend  our  lot  may  share, 
Give  smile  for  smile,  and  tear  for  tear ; 

Yet  buds  that  early  friendships  bear, 
May  blossom,  but  to  wither  here. 

Ay,  time  or  change  may  blight  the  love, 
To  which  in  youth  we  fondly  cling  ; 

When  earth  deceives,  we  look  above, 
And  seek  the  peace,  that  hope  can  bring. 

A  better  friend  is  waiting  there, 

To  soothe  our  griefs,  and  cheer  our  way ; 
He  never  slights  the  suppliant's  pray'r — 

His  friendship  never  knows  decay. 


90  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 


Is.  liii.  3  to  9. 

JlAE  (Christ)  is  despised  and  rejected  of  men ;  a 
man  of  sorrows,  and  acquainted  with  grief:  and  we 
hid  as  it  were  our  faces  from  him  ;  he  was  despised, 
and  we  esteemed  him  not. 

Surely  he  hath  borne  our  griefs,  and  carried  our 
sorrows  :  yet  we  did  esteem  him  stricken,  smitten 
of  God,  and  afflicted. 

But  he  was  wounded  for  our  transgressions,  he 
was  bruised  for  our  iniquities  ;  the  chastisement  of 
our  peace  was  upon  him  ;  and  with  his  stripes  we 
are  healed. 

All  we  like  sheep  have  gone  astray;  we  have 
turned  every  one  to  his  own  way  ;  and  the  Lord 
hath  laid  on  him  the  iniquity  of  us  all. 

He  was  oppressed,  and  he  was  afflicted,  yet  he 
opened  not  his  mouth ;  he  is  brought  as  a  lamb  to 
the  slaughter,  and  as  a  sheep  before  her  shearers  is 
dumb,  so  he  opened  not  his  mouth. 

He  was  taken  from  prison  and  from  judgment : 
and  who  shall  declare  his  generation  %  for  he  was 
cut  off  out  of  the  land  of  the  living  :  for  the  trans- 
gression of  my  people  was  he  stricken. 

And  he  made  his  grave  with  the  wicked,  and  with 
the  rich  in  his  death  ;  because  he  had  done  no  vio- 
lence, neither  was  any  deceit  in  his  mouth. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  91 


THE  SUFFERINGS  OF  CHRIST. 

"A  man  of  sorrows,  and  acquainted  with  grief."     Is*  liii.  3. 


M: 


.Y  Saviour,  thou  hast  felt 
Th'  extreme  of  earthly  wo  ; 
From  Bethlehem's  manger  to  the  grave, 
Thou   didst  no  comforts  know. 

The  bird  can  find  a  home, 

And  weave  its  downy  bed  ; 
The  Son  of  man,  he  knew  not  where 

To  lay  his  weary  head. 

They  plac'd  a  crown  of  thorns 

Upon  that  sacred  brow  ; 
They  knelt  to  thee  in  mockery, 

Nor  fear'd  in  scorn  to  bow. 

A  heavy  cross  was  thine, 

My  Saviour,  and  my  God  ; 
No  mortal  foot  could  tread  the  path 

Which  love  divine  hath  trod. 

Oh  !  let  thy  sufferings  melt 

This  stony  heart  of  mine  ; 
Teach  me  repentance  at  thy  cross, 

And  make  my  spirit  thine. 


92  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 


Matt.  ii.  3  to  10. 

W  HEN  Herod  the  king  had  heard  these  things,  he 
was  troubled,  and  all  Jerusalem  with  him. 

And  when  he  had  gathered  all  the  chief  priests 
and  scribes  of  the  people  together,  he  demanded  of 
them  where  Christ  should  be  born. 

And  they  said  unto  him,  In  Bethlehem  of  Judea  : 
for  thus  it  is  written  by  the  prophet, 

And  thou  Bethlehem,  in  the  land  of  Juda,  art  not 
the  least  among  the  princes  of  Juda  :  for  out  of  thee 
shall  come  a  Governor,  that  shall  rule  my  people 
Israel. 

Then  Herod,  when  he  had  privily  called  the  wise 
men,  inquired  of  them  diligently  what  time  the  star 
appeared. 

And  he  sent  them  to  Bethlehem,  and  said,  Go, 
and  search  diligently  for  the  young  child  :  and 
when  ye  have  found  kim,  bring  me  word  again,  that 
I  may  come  and  worship  him  also. 

When  they  had  heard  the  king,  they  departed  ; 
and  lo,  the  star,  which  they  saw  in  the  east,  went 
before  them,  till  it  came  and  stood  over  where  the 
young  child  was. 

When  they  saw  the  star,  they  rejoiced  with  ex- 
ceeding great  joy. 

Rev.  xxii.  16. 

A  AM  am  the  root  and  the  offspring  of  David,  and 
the  bright  and  morning  star. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  93 


THE  STAR  OF  BETHLEHEM. 

"And  the  Gentiles  shall  come  to  thy  light,  and  kings  to  the 
brightness  of  thy  rising."     Is.  lx.  3. 


A.  HERE  is  a  Star  whose  glowing  light 

Shines  fairer  than  the  eastern  gem ; 
Whose  dazzling  rays  are  always  bright-*- 
It  is  the  Star  of  Bethlehem. 

In  highest  heav'n  it  beams  serene 
On  rich  and  poor — alike  for  them  ; 

The  weary  pilgrim  hails  the  gleam 
Of  that  fair  Star  of  Bethlehem. 

It  rose  upon  a  darken'd  scene, 

And  shed  the  light  of  mystic  gemf 

On  ev'ry  eye  that  met  the  beam 
Of  that  bright  Star  of  Bethlehem. 

*T  is  shining  still  for  all  who  gaze, 
And  wish  the  waves  of  sin  to  stem ; 

It  lights  the  path  of  him  who  strays — 
That  guiding  Star  of  Bethlehem. 

It  points  to  heav'n — it  shows  a  crown 
More  bright  than  kingly  diadem  ; 

'T  will  guide  thee  safe  life's  current  down 
That  hallow'd  Star  of  Bethlehem. 
9 


94  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 

Mark  xii.  41  to  44. 

xxND  Jesus  sat  over  against  the  treasury,  and  be- 
held how  the  people  cast  money  into  the  treasury  : 
and  many  that  were  rich  cast  in  much. 

And  there  came  a  certain  poor  widow,  and  she 
threw  in  two  mites,  which  make  a  farthing. 

And  he  called  unto  him  his  disciples,  and  saith 
unto  them,  .Verily,  I  say  unto  you,  That  this  poor 
widow  hath  cast  more  in,  than  all  they  which  have 
cast  into  the  treasury. 

For  all  they  did  cast  in  of  their  abundance  :  but 
she  of  her  want  did  cast  in  all  that  she  had,  even  all 
her  living. 

1  Pet.  iv.  8  to  10. 

.xjLBOVE  all  things  have  fervent  charity  among 
yourselves  :  for  charity  shall  cover  the  multitude 
of  sins. 

Use  hospitality  one  to  another  without  grudging. 

As  every  man  hath  received  the  gift,  even  so 
minister  the  same  one  to  another,  as  good  stewards 
of  the  manifold  grace  of  God. 

Is.  lviii.  10. 

IF  thou  draw  out  thy  soul  to  the  hungry,  and  sa- 
tisfy the  afflicted  soul ;  then  shall  thy  light  rise  in 
obscurity,  and  thy  darkness  be  as  the  noon-day. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  95 


CHARITY. 


"  Above  all  things  put  on  charity,  which  is  the  bond  of  per- 
fectness."     Col.  iii.  14. 


Jb  ATHER  !  let  thy  love  descending 
Warm  my  soul  with  rays  divine  ; 

Oh  !  let  christian  graces  blending, 
In  my  daily  conduct  shine. 

Kind  to  others,  though  they  harm  me, 
May  I  learn  the  cross  to  bear ; 

Human  foes  cannot  alarm  me, 
Satan's  guile  is  all  I  fear. 

Oh  !  may  ev'ry  precious  blessing 
Thou  hast  lavish'd  upon  me, 

Be  shar'd  with  others  not  possessing 
Those  good  gifts  that  come  from  thee. 

Check  each  selfish — unkind  feeling 
This  young  heart  hath  ever  known  ; 

Let  my  pray'r  to  thee  appealing, 
Make  my  brother's  cause  my  own. 

Not  in  vain  shall  I  have  striven, 
If  one  pray'r  an  answer  earns  ; 

All  I  have,  by  thee  was  given — 
All  I  give,  to  thee  returns. 


96  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 


Ps.  xc.  1  to  1.0. 


XjORD,  thou  hast  been  our  dwelling-place  in  all 
generations. 

Before  the  mountains  were  brought  forth,  or  ever 
thou  hadst  formed  the  earth  and  the  world,  even 
from  everlasting  to  everlasting,  thou  art  God. 

Thou  turnest  man  to  destruction  ;  and  sayest, 
Return,  ye  children  of  men. 

For  a  thousand  years  in  thy  sight  are  but  as  yes- 
terday when  it  is  past,  and  as  a  watch  in  the  night. 

Thou  earnest  them  away  as  with  a  flood;  they  are 
as  a  sleep  ;  in  the  morning  they  are  like  grass  which 
groweth  up. 

In  the  morning  it  flourisheth,  and  groweth  up  ;  in 
the  evening  it  is  cut  down,  and  withereth. 

For  we  are  consumed  by  thine  anger,  and  by  thy 
wrath  are  we  troubled. 

Thou  hast  set  our  iniquities  before  thee,  our  secret 
sins  in  the  light  of  thy  countenance. 

For  all  our  days  are  passed  away  in  thy  wrath  : 
we  spend  our  years,  as  a  tale  that  is  told. 

The  days  of  our  years  are  threescore  years  and 
ten  ;  and  if  by  reason  of  strength  tkey  be  fourscore 
years,  yet  is  their  strength  labor  and  sorrow  ;  for  it 
is  soon  cut  off,  and  we  fly  away. 


SAGRED    MELODIES.  97 


THE  CLOSING  YEAR. 


"  So  teach  us  to  number  our  days,  that  we  may  apply  our  hearts 
unto  wisdom."    Psalm  xc.  12. 


1  HEAR  the  knell  of  the  departing  year 
As  it  goes  down  to  an  unfathom'd  tomb  ; 

How  many  joys  are  laid  upon  its  bier — 

How  many  hopes  have  set,  like  it,  in  gloom. 

The  worldling's  cherish'd  pleasures  are  no  more, 
For  death  hath  call'd  the  spirit  to  its  home  ; 

The  dawning  year,  fair  buds  of  promise  bore, 

Whose  wish'd  for  fruit,  to  him  could  never  come. 

The  friends  we  lov'd — the  dear  ones  by  our  side, 
Have  one  by  one  return'd  to  kindred  clay  ; 

Each  passing  year  goes  by  with  rapid  stride, 

And  tears  some  blessings  of  this  life  away. 

Yet  a  bright  gleam  of  joy  illumes  the  past, 
As  mem'ry  calls  to  mind  the  happy  few ; 

Around  whose  dying  hour  religion  cast 
Her  glowing  halo  of  celestial  hue. 

Oh  !  Father,  give  me  grace  while  youth  is  mine, 
To  mark  the  rapid  flight  of  passing  years ; 

T'  obey  the  precepts  that  will  make  me  thine, 
And  so  to  live,  that  death  may  bring  no  fears. 
9* 


98  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 


Eph.  vi.  11  to  18. 

_t  UT  on  the  whole  armour  of  God,  that  ye  may  be 
able  to  stand  against  the  wiles  of  the  devil. 

For  we  wrestle  not  against  flesh  and  blood,  but 
against  principalities,  against  powers,  against  the 
rulers  of  the  darkness  of  this  world,  against  spiri- 
tual wickedness  in  high  places. 

Wherefore  take  unto  you  the  whole  armour  of 
God,  that  ye  may  be  able  to  withstand  in  the  evil 
day,  and  having  done  all,  to  stand. 

Stand  therefore,  having  your  loins  girt  about  with 
truth,  and  having  on  the  breast-plate  of  righteous- 
ness. 

And  your  feet  shod  with  the  preparation  of  the 
gospel  of  peace  ; 

Above  all,  taking  the  shield  of  faith,  wherewith 
ye  shall  be  able  to  quench  all  the  fiery  darts  of  the 
wicked. 

And  take  the  helmet  of  salvation,  and  the  sword 
of  the  Spirit,  which  is  the  word  of  God  : 

Piaying  always  with  all  prayer  and  supplication 
in  the  Spirit,  and  watching  thereunto  with  all  per- 
severance and  supplication  for  all  saints. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  99 


CHRISTIAN  WARFARE. 


"Wherefore  take  unto  you  the  whole  armour  of  God,  that  ye 
may  be  able  to  withstand  in  the  evil  day,  and  having  done  all,  to 
stand."    Eph.  vi.  13. 


V-/H  !   speed  thee,  Christian,  on  thy  way, 

And  to  thy  armour  cling  ; 
With  girded  loins  the  call  obey 

That  grace  and  mercy  bring. 

There  is  a  battle  to  be  fought — 

An  uphill  race  to  run — 
A  crown  of  glory  to  be  sought — 

A  vie  fry  to  be  won. 

The  shield  of  faith,  will  blunt  the  dart 
That  Satan's  hand  may  throw  ; 

His  arrow  cannot  reach  thy  heart, 
If  Christ  control  the  bow. 

The  glowing  lamp  of  pray'r,  will  light 
Thee  on  thy  anxious  road  ; 

'T  will  keep  the  goal  of  heav'n  in  sight, 
And  guide  thee  to  thy  God. 

Oh  !  faint  not,  Christian,  for  thy  sighs 
Are  heard  before  his  throne  ; 

The  race  must  come  before  the  prize — 
The  cross  before  the  crown. 


100  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 

Ps.  xv.  1  and  2. 

JLiORD,  who  shall  abide  in  thy  tabernacle  1  who 
shall  dwell  in  thy  holy  hill  ? 

He  that  walketh  uprightly,  and  worketh  righte- 
ousness, and  speaketh  the  truth  in  his  heart. 

Zech.  viii.  16  and  17. 

-L  HESE  are  the  things  that  ye  shall  do ;  speak  ye 
every  man  the  truth  to  his  neighbor ;  execute  the 
judgment  of  truth  and  peace  in  your  gates  : 

And  let  none  of  you  imagine  evil  in  your  hearts 
against  his  neighbor ;  and  love  no  false  oath  :  for 
all  these  are  thirigs  that  I  hate,  saith  the  Lord. 

Ps.  xxxiv.  13. 

IvEEP  thy  tongue  from  evil,  and  thy  lips  from 
speaking  guile. 

Prov.  xii.  19. 

JL  HE  lip  of  truth  shall  be  established  for  ever : 
but  a  lying  tongue  is  but  for  a  moment. 

Ps.  li.  6. 

JDEHOLD,  thou  desirest  truth,  in  the  inward 
parts  :  and  in  the  hidden  part  thou  shalt  make  me  to 
know  wisdom. 

Eph.  iv.  25. 

W  HEREFORE,  putting  away  lying,  speak  every 
man  truth  with  his  neighbor  :  for  we  are  members 
one  of  another. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  101 


TRUTH. 


"  Lying  lips  are  abomination  to  the  Lord;  but  they  that  deal 
truly  are  his  delight."    Prov.  xii.  22. 


J\.  MONG  the  varied  snares  of  sin, 
By  which  the  tempter  seeks  to  win 

The  souls  of  thoughtless  youth, 
None  will  so  easily  betray, 
And  lead  us  into  danger's  way, 

As  disregard  for  truth. 

The  word  untrue,  or  insincere, 
Will  in  the  eye  of  God,  appear 

A  sin  of  deepest  dye  ; 
Our  motives  he  will  closely  scan, 
And  fathom  the  most  subtle  plan 

That  Satan's  wile  can  try. 

Oh  !  let  us  strive  a  watch  to  keep 
Upon  those  thoughts,  that  lie  so  deep 

Within  th'  unguarded  soul ; 
That  Satan  may  not  tempt  our  youth, 
To  leave  those  sacred  paths  of  truth, 

That  lead  to  Virtue's  goal. 


102  TEXTS  OF  SCRIPTURE. 

Ps.  xxvii.  10. 

W  HEN  my  father  and  my  mother  forsake  me, 
then  the  Lord  will  take  me  up. 

Ps.  lxviii.  5. 

J\.  father  of  the  fatherless,  and  a  judge  of  the 
widows,  is  God  in  his  holy  habitation. 

Is.  xli.  10. 

JL  EAR  thou  not ;  for  I  am  with  thee  :  be  not  dis- 
mayed ;  for  I  am  thy  God  :  I  will  strengthen  thee  : 
yea,  I  will  help  thee  :  yea,  I  will  uphold  thee  with 
the  right  hand  of  my  righteousness. 

Is.  xli.  13. 

Ju  OR  I  the  Lord  thy  God  will  hold  thy  right  hand, 
saying  unto  thee,  Fear  not ;  I  will  help  thee. 

Is.  xliii.  2. 

W  HEN  thou  passest  through  the  waters,  I  will  he 
with  thee  ;  and  through  the  rivers,  they  shall  not 
overflow  thee  :  when  thou  walkest  through  the  fire, 
thou  shalt  not  be  burned  ;  neither  shall  the  flame 
kindle  upon  thee. 

Jer.  xlix.  11. 

I  jEAVE  thy  fatherless  children,  I  will  preserve 
them  alive  ;  and  let  thy  widows  trust  in  me. 


SACRED  MELODIES.  103 


THE  DESTITUTE  ORPHAN'S  PRAYER. 


11  He  will  regard  the  prayer  of  the  destitute,  and  not  despise 
their  prayer."     Psalm  cii.  17. 


My  Father !  I  am  left  alone, 

Without  a  tender  parent's  care ; 

I  have  no  friend — I  have  no  home — 
Oh !  listen  to  the  orphan's  pray'r. 

Be  thou  the  guardian  of  my  youth, 
And  let  me  thy  protection  share ; 

Instruct  me  in  the  ways  of  truth — 

Oh  !  Father,  't  is  the  orphan's  pray'r. 

Save  me  from  the  wiles  of  sin — 

Save  me  from  each  worldly  snare — 

Make  me  holy,  pure  within — 

It  is  the  erring  orphan's  pray'r. 

If  earthly  friends  should  be  denied, 

And  life  no  cheering  prospect  wear; 

Be  thou  my  friend — be  thou  my  guide — 
It  is  the  lonely  orphan's  pray'r. 

Until  the  lamp  of  life  decline, 

Thou  'It  feed  its  flame  with  holy  care; 
Only  make  me  truly  thine — 

Oh  !  Father,  't  is  the  orphan's  pray'r. 


104  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 


Psalm  cxlviii. 


X  RAISE  ye  the  Lord.  Praise  ye  the  Lord  from 
the  heavens  :  praise  him  in  the  heights. 

Praise  ye  him,  all  his  angels  :  praise  ye  him,  all 
his  hosts. 

Praise  ye  him,  sun,  and  moon  :  praise  him,  all  ye 
stars  of  light. 

Praise  him,  ye  heavens  of  heavens,  and  ye  waters 
that  be  above  the  heavens. 

Let  them  praise  the  name  of  the  Lord  ;  for  he 
commanded,  and  they  were  created. 

He  hath  also  established  them  for  ever  and  ever : 
he  hath  made  a  decree  which  shall  not  pass. 

Praise  the  Lord  from  the  earth,  ye  dragons  and 
all  deeps  : 

Fire,  and  hail ;  snow,  and  vapor :  stormy  wind 
fulfilling  his  word  : 

Mountains,  and  all  hills ;  fruitful  trees,  and  all 
cedars : 

Beasts,  and  all  cattle  ;  creeping  things,  and  flying 
fowl : 

Kings  of  the  earth,  and  all  people ;  princes,  and 
all  judges  of  the  earth  : 

Both  young  men,  and  maidens ;  old  men,  and 
children  : 

Let  them  praise  the  name  of  the  Lord :  for  his 
name  alone  is  excellent ;  his  glory  is  above  the  earth 
and  heaven. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  105 


WORKS  OF  CREATION. 

"Thou  art  worthy,  O  Lord,  to  receive  glory,  and  honor,  and 
power,  for  thou  hast  created  al  things,  and  for  thy  pleasure  they 
are  and  were  created."     Rev.  iv.  11. 


\jrOD  gave  his  mandate  from  on  high, 
And  earth  appear'd  'mid  empty  space^ 

The  wat'ry  waste  and  vaulted  sky, 
Each  quickly  filPd  its  destin'd  place. 

The  sun,  a  light  to  rule  the  day — 

The  soften'd  moon  by  night  to  shine — 

The  twinkling  stars,  and  milky  way — 
Proclaim  a  power  all  divine. 

The  flocks  upon  a  thousand  hills — 

The  birds  that  haunt  the  summer  air — 

The  myriads  in  mountain  rills — 
Proclaim  the  God  that  plac'd  them  there. 

Man  too,  most  glorious  of  all, 

Was  form'd  God's  crowning  work  to  be — 
The  spirit  at  its  Maker's  call 

Awoke  to  immortality. 


10 


106  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 

Luke  x.  38  to  42. 

i\  OW  it  came  to  pass,  as  they  went,  that  he  en- 
tered into  a  certain  village  :  and  a  certain  woman, 
named  Martha,  received  him  into  her  house. 

And  she  had  a  sister  called  Mary,  which  also  sat 
at  Jesus'  feet,  and  heard  his  word. 

But  Martha  was  cumbered  about  much  serving, 
and  came  to  him,  and  said,  Lord,  dost  thou  not  care 
that  my  sister  hath  left  me  to  serve  alone  ?  bid  her 
therefore  that  she  help  me. 

And  Jesus  answered,  and  said  unto  her,  Martha, 
Martha,  thou  art  careful,  and  troubled  about  many 
things  : 

But  one  thing  is  needful;  and  Mary  hath  chosen 
that  good  part,  which  shall  not  be  taken  away 
from  her. 

Matt.  vi.  19  to  21. 

J_jAY  not  up  for  yourselves  treasures  upon  earth, 
where  moth  and  rust  doth  corrupt,  and  where 
thieves  break  through  and  steal : 

But  lay  up  for  yourselves  treasures  in  heaven, 
where  neither  moth  nor  rust  doth  corrupt,  and 
where  thieves  do  not  break  through  nor  steal. 

For  where  your  treasure  is,  there  will  your  heart 
be  also. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  107 

THE  ONE  THING  NEEDFUL. 

"  But  one  thing  is  needful."    Luke  x.  42. 


JL  HE  things  of  earth  must  soon  decay, 
And  fade  like  summer  flow'rs  away  ; 
The  glitt'ring  treasure  of  the  mine, 
Can  only  until  death  be  thine — 
The  one  thing  needful  strive  to  gain, 
Christian,  thou  wilt  not  strive  in  vain. 

The  friends  of  earth  may  now  caress, 
And  round  thy  path  in  gladness  press; 
Yet  can  they  light  thy  dying  hour, 
Or  soothe  thee  with  a  Saviour's  pow'r  ? 
That  heav'nly  friend,  oh  strive  to  gain, 
Christian,  thou  wilt  not  strive  in  vain. 

The  hopes  of  earth  are  broken  reeds 
Which  pierce  the  heart  that  inly  bleeds  ; 
They  prop  thee  not  when  storms  assail — 
They  stay  thee  not  when  comforts  fail — 
The  hope  of  heav'n,  oh  !  strive  to  gain, 
Christian,  thou  wilt  not  strive  in  vain. 


10S  TEXTS    OP    SCRIPTURE. 

Heb.  xii.  22  to  24. 

X  E  are  come  unto  Mount  Sion,  and  unto  the  city 
of  the  living  God,  the  heavenly  Jerusalem,  and  to 
an  innumerable  company  of  angels, 

To  the  general  assembly  and  church  of  the  first 
born,  which  are  written  in  heaven,  and  to  God  the 
Judge  of  all,  and  to  the  spirits  of  just  men  made 
perfect, 

And  to  Jesus  the  Mediator  of  the  new  covenant, 
and  to  the  blood  of  sprinkling,  that  speaketh  better 
things  than  that  of  Abel. 

John  xiv.  2, and  3, 

XN  my  Father's  house  are  many  mansions  :  if  it 
were  not  so,  I  would  have  told  you.  I  go  to  prepare 
a  place  for  you. 

And  if  I  go  and  prepare  a  place  for  you,  I  will 
come  again  and  receive  you  unto  myself;  that  where 
I  am,  there  ye  may  be  also. 

Job  iii.  17  and  18. 

JL  HERE  the  wicked  cease  from  troubling  ;  and 
there  the  weary  be  at  rest. 

There  the  prisoners  rest  together  ;  they  hear  not 
the  voice  of  the  oppressor. 

Rev.  xiv.  13. 

AND  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven,  saying  unto 
me,  Write,  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the 
Lord  from  henceforth  :  Yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that 
they  may  rest  from  their  labors  ;  and  their  works  do 
follow  them. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  109 


THE  HEAVENLY  REST. 

11  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord :  yea,  saith  the  Spi- 
rit, that  they  may  rest  from  their  labors."    Rev.  xiv.  13 . 


JtVEST,  pilgrim,  rest,  the  thorny  path  is  trod 
That  leads  to  an  eternal,  blest  abode  ; 
No  more  thy  weary  feet   shall   trembling  fail — 
No  more  the  blasts  of  sin  thy  soul  assail. 

Rest,  wand'rer,  rest,  the  home  long  sought  is  found- 
Arid  heav'nly  friends  thy  spirit  now  surround  ; 
The  lonely  pilgrimage  of  life  is  done, 
A  happy  mansion  in  the  skies  is  won. 

Rest,  mourner,  rest,  thy  grief  hath  pass'd  away — 
And  earth's  dark  night  is  turn'd  to  endless  day  ; 
The  bitter  tears  no  more  in  anguish  flow — 
No  more  thy  soul  can  worldly  sorrow  know. 

Rest,  Christian,  rest,  the  strife  of  sin  is  past, 
And  Christ  hath  giv'n  thee  victory  at  last ; 
The  crown  of  glory  that  adorns  thy  brow, 
No  earthly  sin  can  tear  it  from  thee  now. 


110  TEXTS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 


I  John  v.  5  to  12* 

W  HO  is  he  that  overcometh  the  world,  but  he 
that  believeth  that  Jesus  is  the  son  of  God  ? 

This  is  he  that  came  by  water  and  blood,  even 
Jesus  Christ ;  not  by  water  only,  but  by  water  and 
blood.  And  it  is  the  Spirit  that  beareth  witness, 
because  the  Spirit  is  truth. 

For  there  are  three  that  bear  record  in  heaven, 
the  Father,  the  Word,  and  the  Holy  Ghost :  and 
these  three  are  one. 

And  there  are  three  that  bear  witness  in  earth, 
the  spirit,  and  the  water,  and  the  blood  :  and  these 
three  agree  in  one. 

If  we  receive  the  witness  of  men,  the  witness  of 
God  is  greater  :  for  this  is  the  witness  of  God  which 
he  hath  testified  of  his  Son. 

He  that  believeth  on  the  Son  of  God  hath  the 
witness  in  himself:  he  that  believeth  not  God,  hath 
made  him  a  liar,  because  he  believeth  not  the  re- 
cord that  God  gave  of  his  Son. 

And  this  is  the  record,  that  God  hath  given  to  us 
eternal  life  :  and  this  life  is  in  his  Son. 

He  that  hath  the  Son,  hath  life  ;  and  he  that  hath 
not  the  Son  of  God,  hath  not  life. 


SACRED    MELODIES.  Ill 


SONG  OF  THANKSGIVING   TO  THE 
TRINITY. 

"  For  there  are  three  that  bear  record  in  heaven,  the  Father,  the 
Word,  and  the  Holy  Ghost :  and  these  three  are  one."  1  John  v.  7. 


X*  ATHER  !  let  my  spirit  praise  thee 
For  the  good  thy  hand  bestows  ; 

Let  me  prize  the  grace  that  saves  me, 
And  the  love  that  from  thee  flows. 

Saviour  !  let  me  ever  bless  thee 

For  the  mercy  thou  hast  shown  ; 

Sin  and  sorrow  may  distress  me — 
But  thou  claim'st  me  as  thy  own. 

Spirit !  may  I  ever  prize  thee 
For  thy  sanctifying  care  ; 

For  the  peace  this  world  denies  me, 
And  the  happiness  I  share. 

Father,  Son,  aud  Spirit  blending, 

Holy  Trinity  I  praise  ; 
Blessings  to  thy  throne  ascending, 

From  my  youthful  heart  I  raise. 


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